Sources: Juventus to offer Bonucci bumper new contract

Romeo Agresti

Sources: Juventus to offer Bonucci bumper new contract image

EXCLUSIVE

Juventus is confident of persuading Leonardo Bonucci to sign a contract extension that will make the defender one of the best-paid players at the club, sources tell Goal.

The Italy international, whose current deal expires in 2020, was courted by Manchester City during the summer transfer window after new manager Pep Guardiola made the 29-year-old his primary defensive target, hoping to lure him with a five-year contract worth a whopping 8 million euros ($8.9M) per year.

However, although flattered by City's interest, the center back never seriously entertained the idea of leaving Turin, where he has won five Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies since joining from Bari in 2010.

More recently, Chelsea has been linked with a bid to sign Bonucci, with reports claiming Antonio Conte is even willing to trade Eden Hazard in order to sign a defender he has worked with at both Juve and with the Italy national team.

As a result, Juventus, which was also unwilling to listen to offers for one of their most important players, now wants to reward Bonucci for his loyalty by extending his contract until 2021 and increasing his annual wage to €5 million, plus bonuses.

Bianconeri CEO Beppe Marotta has already held provisional talks with the defender's agent, Alessandro Lucci, with whom the Italian champions have an excellent working relationship.

It was Lucci who negotiated Juan Cuadrado's summer return to Turin from Chelsea and Juve are thus optimistic that Bonucci's renewal will prove little more than a formality.

Romeo Agresti

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