Juventus splash the cash to keep Bonucci

London: Juventus have offered Leonardo Bonucci a new £5mil-ayear (RM26mil) deal in a desperate bid to keep him at the club.

Bonucci is in the sights of Chelsea and Manchester City who are ready to make him the world’s most expensive defender with a £60mil (RM309mil) offer in the pipeline.

But Juve are so keen to tie the 29-year-old centreback down they have started talks over a new £100,000-a-week (RM514,000) contract – even though his present deal doesn’t run out until 2020.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has told owner Roman Abramovich to break the bank to get the Italian defender who is regarded as one of the best in the world.

But City boss Pep Guardiola is also a major fan and is plotting a move of his own as concerns over the long-term fitness of Vincent Kompany continue to grow.

Bonucci admitted last month he was tempted by a move to City in the summer, while he has made no secret of his admiration of Conte who he played under at Juve and Italy.

The major factor in whether a switch to England happens or not is likely to be down to the health of his youngest son.

Two-year-old Matteo has been seriously ill and underwent surgery over the summer, and Bonucci is understood to be reluctant to uproot his family at such a sensitive time. — The Sun, London