Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United challenge Chelsea for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci in summer transfer battle
Report in Italy claim that new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is also keen on bringing centre-back to the Etihad
MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race to sign Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci.
Incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte is believed to be keen on a reunion at Stamford Bridge after managing the centre-back in Turin.
The Special One is planning to sell Daley Blind, who partnered first-choice Chris Smalling under Louis van Gaal, and wants a world-class defender to solidify his backline.
But the two Premier League giants could both be upstaged by Manchester City, who will be led by Pep Guardiola next season.
The oil-rich club will be playing Champions League football if they can get through their qualifier in August and can also match any finances on the table.
Captain Vincent Kompany spent most of the last campaign out with injury, and Guardiola fears his new side lack a quality centre-half who can play week in, week out.
La Stampa adds that Bonucci could yet stay at Juventus after penning a deal until 2020 last July.
The 29-year-old has won five consecutive Serie A titles during a six-year spell and is regarded as a key player by Max Allegri.
Bonucci is also extremely popular with the Juventus fans, but the Italians have shown they are always willing to sell for the right price after allowing key man Arturo Vidal to join Bayern Munich in 2015.
Juve are reportedly interested in Bayern’s out-of-favour defender Medhi Benatia and could move for the Moroccan if they decide to part ways with Bonucci.