Chelsea face fresh competition to sign leading Serie A defender – report
Chelsea will now have to see off competition from Barcelona and Manchester City to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, according to reports
Barcelona have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, according to reports in the Italian media.
Italian newspaper Tuttosport, as quoted by the Daily Star, is reporting that new Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is looking to sign a world-class centre-half in the 2017 summer transfer window.
The same article states that the La Liga giants have even made room for Bonucci in their squad following the departure of French defender Jeremy Mathieu to Sporting Lisbon.
According to the same story, Manchester City remain interested in the 30-year-old defender as Chelsea’s chances of recruiting Bonucci look increasingly unlikely.
Antonio Conte is thought to be a huge admirer of Bonucci and the Premier League champions were linked with the Italy international last summer.
However, Chelsea instead signed Brazilian centre-half David Luiz in a £32m deal from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the 2017 summer transfer window.
The Blues are rumoured to be looking at AS Roma defender Antonio Rudiger as an alternative to improve their squad this summer.
Chelsea have only signed Manchester City number two goalkeeper Willy Caballero in the summer transfer window so far.
