Club chief confirms contract talks with United target, Chelsea plans to spoil deal!!
Sep 11, 2016 at 6:25 PM
Juventus will not rush into tying down Leonardo Bonucci to a new long-term contract, despite reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
That is according to Juve director Giuseppe Marotta, who claims the club are not worried about their star man’s future.
“The bargaining position of the whole squad is in line with our plans,” Marotta told Italian outlet Sport Mediaset.
“There are positions that we are going to review, also because of the recent performances, but we are in no hurry.
“There is no concern on our part or from players who want to stay with us for a long time.”
Bonucci was closely tracked by Chelsea over the summer before the Blues turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain’s David Luiz when they learned of Juve’s £50million demand.
Brazilian Luiz joined the club for £32m on deadline day, while United manager Jose Mourinho was made to contend with one defensive addition to his squad in Eric Bailly.
The 29-year-old defender was also the subject of interest from Chelsea this summer, but it is reported that after Paul Pogba left Turin for United a deal for Bonucci to follow was not likely to be brokered.
The Italian champions are said to be eager to keep the defensive trio of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Bonucci at all costs.
United’s attempts to bring defensive reinforcements to Old Trafford as part of Jose Mourinho’s rebuilding project also hit stumbling blocks elsewhere.
Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane spoke of rejecting the Red Devils’ offer, while an interest in Jose Fonte of Southampton was widely reported, although no deal was ever done.