Newcastle United have today been linked with a move for veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus.
Hands up if you had this one on your Newcastle Transfer Bingo Card.
Newcastle are now linked with 36-year-old Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus according to Calciomercato. The one-time Ballon d’Or nominee, scorer of the important equaliser and one of the players who scored from the spot in Italy’s Euro 2020 final win over England. That Leonardo Bonucci.
Leonardo Bonucci has already planned to retire after next season
It’s a crazy link no matter how you look at it, but it might not be a bad move for the Magpies.
Yes he’s already announced that he’s going to retire at the end of next season, he’s older than the Model T Ford in footballing terms, but as a squad player for our Champions League return, he could be very important.
Bonucci has won nine Serie A titles in his career, eight of which were with Juventus during two spells with the club, the other was with Inter Milan. He reached the 500 appearances mark for Juventus last year, but despite his clear love for the club and all his success, both he and Juventus are weighing up the possibility of a summer departure.
It’s believed that Bonucci wants ‘one last adventure‘ before he retires and Newcastle could maybe provide that for him.
Bonucci may be coming to the end of his career but he could offer a lot to Newcastle
The report from Calciomercato has suggested that talks have already taken place but there is a long way to go before any actual formal bid will be made.
Just a year at Newcastle would add so much to the side. Not just in terms of any games he plays in – let’s be honest he’s unlikely to be a regular starter – but in terms of the leadership and experience he will bring, also a year teaching Sven Botman some of the art of Italian defending certainly can’t be overstated.
Is it going to happen? Very doubtful. But I can definitely see the merits if it does go ahead.
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