Pep Guardiola ‘wants Leonardo Bonucci’ at Manchester City but Juventus have no intention of selling 

Manchester City are keen to secure the signature of Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci this summer. 

Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Italian veteran, who he sees as the perfect replacement to club legend Vincent Kompany who left the team last summer.

However they could have a challenge on their hands to secure the 32-year-old, as Goal.com have reported that Juventus have no intentions of selling the defender. 

Manchester City are reportedly keen in signing Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci

Manchester City are reportedly keen in signing Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci

Bonucci has spent the majority of his playing career at Juventus, racking up a total of 372 appearances while getting his hands on 14 major trophies including seven Serie A titles.

Since rejoining the club in 2018 after a one-year stint at AC Milan, it has been expected that Bonucci would play out his career at the Bianconeri who he has a contract with until 2024. 

However Pep Guardiola is looking to bring in a defensive overhaul at the Etihad Stadium after a tough season which has seen them fall 25 points behind league leaders Liverpool. 

City lost club legend Vincent Kompany last summer after he helped guide them to a fourth Premier League trophy.

With Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the club they decided not to bring in a replacement for Kompany, however this backfired with the Frenchman missing large parts of the season due to injury.

This has left Guardiola pushing midfielder Fernandinho into centre-back to provide an extra option to John Stones and Nicholas Otamendi.    

Bonucci has been an integral cog in the heart of the Juventus defence for many seasons

Bonucci has been an integral cog in the heart of the Juventus defence for many seasons

Pep Guardiola is a big fan and reportedly would like to bring him to Manchester City

Pep Guardiola is a big fan and reportedly would like to bring him to Manchester City

And despite the club’s potent attacking threat, their lack of top defensive options have resulted the champions of the last two years to drop a long way back in the Premier League.

Stones and Otamendi have been linked with moves away from the club, but a tough Juventus stance on Bonucci could see them looking elsewhere for a centre-back.

The Bianconeri are reportedly not prepared to sanction the Italian’s departure, with his presence and experience considered vital for the continued development of Matthijs De Ligt and Merih Demiral.

Bonucci is seen as vital to the ongoing development of young defensive star Matthijs De Ligt

Bonucci is seen as vital to the ongoing development of young defensive star Matthijs De Ligt

Daniele Rugani is the only defender currently set to leave the club this year, while Juventus are currently working on a contract for Giorgio Chiellini who is set to become a free agent.  

It could take a big move from Manchester City to persuade Juventus to consider selling their experienced defender, which could mean they have to look elsewhere in the pursuit of a top centre-back.

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