Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is reportedly in talks with Newcastle United over a surprise move to the Premier League club this summer.
The 36-year-old recently announced his intention to pull the curtains down on his illustrious 19-year playing career and retire from football in the summer of 2024.
Bonucci, who is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, has won eight Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias across two spells with the Turin-based giants since 2010, while he also led Italy to Euro 2020 glory.
The experienced centre-back started just 12 matches for Juve across all competitions during an injury-hit 2022-23 campaign, which was tarnished by the club's 10-point deduction in Serie A following an investigating into the club's transfer dealings.
Juve were forced to settle for a seventh-placed finish in the Italian top flight and have subsequently failed to qualify for next season's Champions League, leading to speculation about the future of a number of key players.
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Bonucci is due to see his current contract at Juventus expire in June 2024 when he plans to retire, but the defender is now believed to be exploring the possibility of taking on one final challenge elsewhere.
According to Calciomercato, Bonucci's representatives recently had an initial meeting with Newcastle chiefs to discuss a potential move for the defender to St James' Park, with Juve open to parting ways with their No.19.
Bonucci is said to have offers from both MLS and Saudi Arabia, but the Italian is keen to continue playing at the highest level and is tempted by a possible move to the Premier League.
It is understood that Bonucci would consider postponing his decision to retire from football should a deal be struck for him to join Newcastle, who have already signed one high-profile Italian this summer in the form of midfielder Sandro Tonali, who has completed a £60.2m transfer from AC Milan.
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The Magpies can offer Bonucci Champions League football after finishing fourth in the English top flight last season with the joint-best defensive record in the division – conceding just 33 goals.
Eddie Howe is believed to be in the market for defensive reinforcements to provide competition for current first-choice options Sven Botman and Fabian Schar.
Dan Burn, who can also operate at centre-back, played the majority of last season at left-back, while the long-term future of club captain Jamaal Lascelles – who started just two Premier League games in 2022-23 – is believed to be uncertain, with just a year remaining on his contract.
Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio, although the former is valued in the region of £60m.
Meanwhile, the Magpies have reportedly rebuffed an enquiry from Manchester City for Botman and have told the treble winners that the Dutchman is not for sale at any price.
Oliver Thomas
