Real Madrid are reportedly set to battle Manchester City to sign Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus in the summer.

Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Real Madrid have set their sights on Leonardo Bonucci over a move in the summer transfer window. The Spanish giants are now set to go head-to-head with Manchester City to land the Italian defender from Juventus.

Bonucci has been one of the cornerstones of Juventus’ success in recent seasons, with the Bianconeri winning the Serie A title for the last six seasons.

Defence has been one of the primary strengths for the Italian club, and it here where Bonucci has forged one of the most solid defensive partnerships in the world with Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli – for both club and country.

A superb reader of the game, the player often also makes an impact with the ball at his feet, and he is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world at the present moment. However, ever since a public spat with manager Massimiliano Allegri, Bonucci has been on the edge at Juventus.

Set to put on the whites of Real Madrid? (Photo courtesy - Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Set to put on the whites of Real Madrid? (Photo courtesy – Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

The aforementioned incident has, since, given rise to speculation surrounding his future in Turin. Surely enough, some of the biggest clubs in Europe have registered their interest in signing Bonucci in the summer, with the latest of these being Real Madrid.

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane currently has the likes of Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Pepe and Nacho as his options at the heart of his side’s defence. But, Pepe is being linked with a summer exit from the Santiago Bernabeu, while Nacho is seen as more of a squad player.

Meanwhile, Varane has been laid low for a number of months this season due to a spate of injuries. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the Real Madrid boss is eyeing Bonucci for a move in the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are also standing toe to toe with Real Madrid in the race to sign Bonucci. In fact, the English club have been long-time admirers of the player’s talents and even tried signing him last summer before he chose to stay put at the Juventus Stadium.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola also has an urgent need to sign a central defender following his side’s troubles at the back this season. Captain Vincent Kompany has been regularly sidelined by injuries, while John Stones has struggled to settle in at the Etihad Stadium and Nicolas Otamendi has been highly inconsistent.

The Manchester City boss has, thus, made Bonucci a priority for the summer and is set to make the move for the Juventus defender. However, Juventus are unwilling to sell him and they will leave it up to the player to decide his future at the club. It will now be interesting to see where Bonucci plays next season.

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