Manchester City transfer news: Leonardo Bonucci wanted as Pep Guardiola virtually describes Juventus star in ideal defender profile
Reports claims Guardiola's idea of a rough-and-ready defender to partner John Stones is Italian ace Bonucci
PEP GUARDIOLA is reportedly thinking about signing Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus.
Manchester City missed out on the fiery Italian last summer as they looked for reinforcements at the back.
Speaking about the ideal qualities for John Stones’ next partner in crime, Guardiola said: “The defender has to be rougher and tough. You cannot compete with strikers like Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Diego Costa.
“You have to be like that. We are looking for not just that, there have to be qualities of a player for us it’s so important.”
The MEN goes on to allege that this description perfectly describes Bonucci, who is used as the central ball-playing defender at Juventus.
Nicolas Otamendi has failed to prove his credentials at the Etihad and is expected to be shipped out alongside Eliaquim Mangala once the Frenchman’s Valencia loan ends.
Vincent Kompany remains in the frame but his injury and fitness problems have convinced Guardiola that a new, world-class centre-back is still needed.
Aleksandar Kolarov has also featured there but should expect to be redeployed to his usual position of left-back.