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Chelsea to beat Manchester United to Bonucci’s signature

By Jonathan Northall

Italy's defender Leonardo Bonucci (L) and Sweden's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic vie for the ball during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Sweden at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse on June 17, 2016. / AFP / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)
Italy's defender Leonardo Bonucci (L) and Sweden's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic vie for the ball during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Sweden at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse on June 17, 2016. / AFP / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Juventus centre back Leonardo Bonucci as Manchester United increase their interest in taking the Italian international to Old Trafford.  

It has been reported in the British press that Bonucci has agreed personal terms with Chelsea but an offer is yet to be tabled.  The defender has accepted a deal of £130,000 per week to join Antonio Conte, the current Italian coach, at Stamford Bridge.  Jose Mourinho is desperate to shore up the Manchester United defences but is set to miss out on Bonucci.

Having coached Bonucci at club level, during his time as Juventus coach, and as Italy coach, Antonio Conte is fully acquainted with the skills and attributes that he has.  Looking to add the Juve defender to the partnership of Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill, this triumvirate would give Conte the defensive stability that Italian style football is built upon.

However, Bonucci’s passing ability means that he’s more than just a centre back who stops attacks.  He reads the game well and does not dive into tackles recklessly.  He’s more like to dispossess an attacker and move the ball forward than clear the ball out of danger.

Jose Mourinho’s defensive needs are more pressing than Conte’s.  Last season, Manchester United’s defence was very poor at defending set pieces and, generally, weak in the air.  Mourinho is aware of this and has already acquired 22-year-old Eric Bailly from Villarreal. The Ivorian defender is one that will grow in stature in the Premier League next season. However, Mourinho does not have the luxury of waiting so experience in the form of Bonucci is needed now.  Mourinho is also looking at a swap deal with Chelsea to acquire Nemanja Matic for Matteo Darmian.

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It appears that Chelsea will offer £32 million to Juventus for their prized defender.  £25 million is set to be cash on the table and another £7 million in add-ons.  Whether this is enough to lure Juve to sell will have to be seen.  Their valuation of around £50 million seems to be nothing more than a ploy to start a Dutch auction for the player.  

TransferMarkt have a valuation of €30 million (£23m) for Bonucci, so Chelsea’s offer would appear to be an offer of substance. Manchester United have a similar valuation to Chelsea so it could come down to personal terms and the player making the final decision.  If this is the case, it would seem reasonable to expect Bonucci to join Conte in London rather than Mourinho.

Seeming destined to leave I Bianconeri during the summer, the only questions left around Bonucci’s transfer are to how much and where.  Having such a good tournament at Euro 2016 so far, Juventus will be raising the bar on what is an acceptable offer to them.  

Italy have the look of a team that will go deep in the tournament so Antonio Conte will be hoping that Roman Abramovich is happy to make a deal now for an asset that is appreciating in value by each game.  By making sure that “LB19” comes to SW6, Conte can continue his excellent relationship with the defender.

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