Newcastle eyeing shock deal for 121-cap legend who’s won 19 trophies

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Newcastle United have reportedly held a ‘meeting’ with Juventus legend Leonardo Bonucci as the veteran defender weighs up a potential move to the Premier League. 

Since 2021’s Saudi Arabian takeover, Newcastle United’s transfer policy has continued to revolve around hungry young talent with the potential to improve exponentially at St James’ Park. 

See Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and new £55 million midfielder Sandro Tonali. That is not to say, however, that there is no space for a grizzled veteran who’s colossal experience could prove to be vital both on and off the pitch.

Kieran Trippier (32), Dan Burn (31) and Nick Pope (31) played major roles as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League for the first time in over 20 years last season.

And while there remains a potentially worrying absence of European nous in Eddie Howe’s squad, that could be fixed by the signing of a 36-year-old centre-half who has featured from the start in two separate Champions League finals. 

Newcastle United hold talks over shock Leonardo Bonucci move

According to Calciomercato, Newcastle have held talks with Leonardo Bonucci. One of the finest and most decorated centre-halves of the modern era, Bonucci has one year left on his Juventus career but hopes to continue his career at the highest level.  

The 121-time Italy international has little interest in joining former sparring partner Giorgio Chiellini in the MLS. A money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia does not appeal to him either. 

Newcastle, Calciomercato add, have not yet made Bonucci an offer.

But they are busying themselves with background checks; ‘making all the necessary assessments’ as they weigh up whether or not to bring in a player who started just 10 Serie A games last term but could impart some invaluable know-how upon a squad of players who will soon find themselves in unchartered territory, the Champions League anthem echoing around St James’ Park for the first time since the Sir Bobby Robson era. 

Bonucci has won 19 trophies during a storied career. That includes the European Championships with Italy, and nine Serie A titles with Juventus and Inter Milan.