Manchester United are reportedly considering a summer move for Leonardo Bonucci, who could leave AC Milan after just one season.
According to an exclusive report by Yahoo Sports, Leonardo Bonucci could be on his way out of AC Milan after just one season, with Manchester United interested in signing him in the summer transfer window. The Rossoneri are set to be implicated by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules and might have to sell their captain.
Bonucci enjoyed a stupendous rise in stature during his seven-year stint at Juventus, with many regarding him to be one of the best defenders in the world. Last summer though, he ended his stint with the Bianconeri in shocking circumstance, as the player joined AC Milan. And, it has all been downhill since then.
The Rossoneri couldn’t herald a new, successful era, as they slumped to sixth on the Serie A table, while only reaching the Round of 16 at the Europa League. Bonucci’s own performances were a far cry from his domineering displays at Juventus, and now there are fears that the 31-year-old, and some other players, could call it quits this summer, for several reasons.
The biggest of these reasons is impending Financial Fair Play sanctions, with Milan set to be excluded from the 2018-19 Europa League by the Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body this week. The club are now under pressure to balance their books after failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and Manchester United could be set to take advantage of the same.
The Red Devils are monitoring the situation that Milan find themselves in, and are primed to launch the offensive for Bonucci, who could be an attractive prospect for several clubs when the Rossoneri are forced to sell.
Manchester United are in the market for a centre-back this summer after their underwhelming outings at the back in the second half of the season often left Jose Mourinho exasperated. The direct consequence of the same means Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are reportedly under the cosh at Old Trafford.
With Victor Lindelof taking time to settle into the club, it has been suggested that the Manchester United boss is looking for a seasoned centre-back – the likes of Jerome Boateng and Toby Alderweireld have been linked thus far – to line up alongside Eric Bailly and help mentor Lindelof.
Bonucci fits in the category, and could become a priority target, with Manchester City reportedly joining the pursuit of Boateng and the Alderweireld deal held up due to Manchester United and Tottenham’s disagreement over the transfer fee.
Bonucci’s abilities on the ball could add more dynamism at the back for Manchester United. However, he could also be found wanting for pace, as so many other defenders arriving from Italy have in the past. For now though, it is likely that the Italian international is only a backup target, with the Red Devils just monitoring his situation for now.
But, if they fail to land either Boateng or Alderweireld, Bonucci could soon become their number one target, although Chelsea seem to be keeping a keen eye on the developments as well. As far as Milan are concerned, tough times await them after their failed “gamble” to invest big and get back to the UEFA Champions League.
