Bonucci edging closer to a shock AC Milan move / photo via calciomercato.com
The highly-rated Juventus defender and Italy international Leonardo Bonucci, dubbed one of the best central-backs in the world, has agreed to join Serie A rivals AC Milan.
Shock Transfer News
The news sent shockwaves through the footballing world as the former Inter Milan player prepares to leave Bianconeri after seven years in Turin and for the ambitious Rossoneri side nonetheless.
The latest reports coming from Italy claim that the 30-year-old defender Leonardo Bonucci has agreed to a five-year deal with the Milanese club and is looking to conclude his move by the end of the weekend.
Bonucci was due to travel to Milan to have his medical on Friday morning as Rossoneri prepare to fork out €40 million transfer fee for a player who has won 70 caps for Italy and who has been attracting plenty of interest from all around the continent and Premier League in particular.
Leonardo Bonucci was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea where he would be reunited with former coach Antonio Conte, while Pep Guardiola also wanted to see the Italian star at the Etihad.
Juventus defender, however, opted to remain in his home country with his wife thought to be the main reason behind the decision as AC Milan prepare to add another big notch on their belt ahead of the new season. Bonucci will be earning €6.5 million per season plus add-ons, whereas AC Milan are expected to pay additional €2 million to Juventus as per performance-related bonuses.
Statement of Intent
The new Chinese owners continue their spending spree at AC Milan with what will definitely be another marquee signing for Rossoneri.
Having already spent well over €100 million this summer, AC Milan are prepared to invest more to bolster their ranks with a defender of the highest quality which is expected to raise the profile of Vincenzo Montella’s squad.
Rossoneri have been praised for their well-thought transfer dealing this summer.
The club owners have been busy bolstering the squad by young and exciting players the oldest of which are 26 years of age. The Argentine defender Mateo Musacchio and Italy winger Fabio Borini lead the line of players expected to carry the team forward for years to come.
The likes of Franck Kessie, Ricardo Rodriguez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Andrea Conti and Andre Silva are considered shrewd investments which did nothing to disturb the age balance of the squad.
With the average age of 25.5, AC Milan still boast one of the youngest teams in the Serie A and the arrival of an experienced veteran and a world-class defender such as Leonardo Bonucci will be of great benefit for the side.
AC Milan will use Leonardo Bonucci to send a huge statement of intent ahead of the forthcoming Serie A season. Rossoneri are staking their claim on the Scudetto and will emerge as one of the major favourites to lift the title and end Juventus’ dominance.
Despite the obvious quality inside their ranks, AC Milan lack experience and will have to work hard to make use of the 8/1 betting odds slapped on their back in regards to the Serie A chances.
Reasons for Departure
Leonardo Bonucci’s departure and move to AC Milan may come as shock news but it’s been a long time coming.
Italy defender has not always seen eye to eye with the Juventus manager, Max Allegri, and their fallen relationship is argued to be one of the key reasons behind Bonucci’s decision to leave Juventus in the first place.
The pair traded insults during a game against Palermo last season when tempers boiled and spilt over, resulting in Massimiliano Allegri calling Bonucci a ‘di∗∗head’ and telling him to ‘fu∗∗ off’ in Bianconeri’s 4-1 victory.
It was Bonucci who reacted angrily to Allegri on the touchline as the manager made changes in the closing stages of the fixture, whereas the argument was dragged on past the final whistle.
Bonucci was caught telling his manager to ‘go to hell’ as he stormed down the tunnel, which ultimately got him dropped from the first-team for the Champions League match against Porto.
Bonucci and Allegri seemingly made piece soon afterwards but the hatchet was never truly buried and ultimately resulted in an unsolicited move away from Juventus, who are losing one of the pillars of their backline.
Bianconeri sure have a roster deep enough to compensate for the loss of their first-team star, but could they end up regretting the selling of a player of Bonucci’s calibre?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
