One of Pep Guardiola’s favourite players is now available for Newcastle to sign

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Last summer, Newcastle United were linked with all manner of strikers.

This year, it’s been the story of defenders after Newcastle ended their long-running pursuit of a midfielder by signing Sandro Tonali.

Joachim Andersen, Harry Maguire and Marc Guehi are just some of the names touted for a move to St James’ Park as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his options in the backline.

One of the bigger names linked is Juventus and Italy star Leonardo Bonucci.

The Italian, along with teammates Federico Chiesa and Samuel Iling-Junior, have all been mentioned in conjunction with the Magpies this summer.

Now, there has been a development.

Fabrizio Romano claims Juventus want to get rid of Leonardo Bonucci

Indeed, noted transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has now claimed the Italian giants no longer want a player who has lifted eight Serie A titles with them.

Indeed, taking to Twitter, Romano wrote: “Leonardo Bonucci, no longer part of the project at Juventus. Club decision is to exclude Bonucci from the first team — OUT of the squad.

“Bonucci will be made available on the market with immediate effect.”

A big name for Newcastle but not a profile they’ve tended to target

While Bonucci is certainly a big name and someone Pep Guardiola hailed as one of his “favourite ever” players, he’s not of the profile PIF have tended to target.

Earlier this week, Bruno Guimaraes praised the club for their work in recruiting younger players with scope to go on a journey with the club.

At 36, Bonucci clearly does not represent that and throw in his reported wages of £200k-per-week, signing him would be a complete departure from the strategy Newcastle have adopted thus far.

That’s not to say he’d be a bad signing but the club just haven’t made these kind of moves so far.