Juventus offer Bonucci RM527,000-a-week contract

JUVENTUS HAVE reportedly opened contract talks with Leonardo Bonucci (pix) in a bid to ward off interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Bonucci has emerged as a prime target for the two sides and it’s believed that Roman Abramovich has already given Blues coach Antonio Conte the green light to make a worldrecord bid for the defender in January.

But any prospective move to England would be largely dependent on Bonucci’s family situation.

The Italian is keen to stay in Italy as his two-year old son Matteo has been seriously ill and underwent surgery in July.

“What happened made me stronger,” the 29-year-old said ahead of Italy’s World Cup qualifier with Spain.

“I want to thank my son and my wife because we have faced a difficult time and we will continue fighting it.”

Bonucci’s current contract runs out in 2020 but, according to the Daily Mail, Juventus are understood to have offered an extension with improved terms worth around £100,000 (RM527,000)-a-week.

The defender was subject to considerable interest from City and Chelsea throughout the summer. Conte will be particularly optimistic that he can lure the Italian to Stamford Bridge having developed a close relationship with his fellow compatriot.

Earlier this year, Bonucci said: “Conte will be a big success in England, Chelsea are already a very good team and he will have them challenging both in England and in Europe.

“He is the boss, and if you listen to him and show him respect, you will see he is one of the best bosses in the game. The players in the Italy team nicknamed him The Godfather. That means when he talks, you listen. You do what he says and you don’t argue. Players want to listen, though.”

Although Chelsea and City would realistically be able to double Juventus’ offer, the recovery of Bonucci’s son will prove central to any transfer decision made within the coming months. – The Independent