Report: Manchester United enter race to sign Leonardo Bonucci

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Manchester City are thought to be close to signing Bonucci, but a report suggests they may face competition from their city rivals.

Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci is a wanted man

Manchester United are set to take on Manchester City by entering the race for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, according to the Mirror.

The same newspaper reported earlier this week that City had seen off interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea to all but secure a deal for the Italian international. However it now appears that United may have entered the race at the last minute.

City were thought to be willing to spend as much as £50 million on the Italian defender, a fee that would equal the world record for money spent on a defender.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is also said to be interested in Bonucci

United may struggle however to persuade Juventus to negotiate a deal with them, especially as the Red Devils are determined to land their former academy Paul Pogba for a fee reported to be over £100 million.

But Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster his back-line, and he, like nemesis Pep Guardiola, sees the Italian as the ideal candidate.

City boss Guardiola is looking to provide some insurance for the perennially injured Vincent Kompany, who missed Euro 2016 due to a recurring calf problem.

Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany has had trouble with injuries

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager has expressed his desire for Kompany to focus on regaining his fitness, so he can see for himself how good the Belgian can be.

Interest in Bonucci was also thought have extended to new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who was hoping to be reunited with the defender who he has coached both at Juventus and at international level with Italy in the recent European Championships.

However, it is thought that City priced out Chelsea’s interest, with their willingness to meet Juventus’s asking price and offer Bonucci wages of £140,000 per week.

Bonucci has established himself as one of the world’s finest and most reliable centre-halves at Juventus, joining the Old Lady in 2010 having been picked up from Bari.

The 29-year-old’s vast experience, both for his club at the top of Serie A and in the Champions League, as well as his international experience, make it unsurprising that he is courting Premier League interest.