Roman Abramovich to finance Chelsea's world record defender deal for Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci

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Leonardo Bonucci could become the world's most expensive defender if he joins Chelsea CREDIT: AP

•  Matt Law, football news correspondent 

5 OCTOBER 2016 • 10:30PM

Roman Abramovich has told the Chelsea head coach, Antonio Conte, that he is prepared to make a world- record bid for a defender to try to tempt Juventus into selling Leonardo Bonucci in January.

As the Telegraph revealed last week, Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, is ready to bankroll an overhaul of the Blues squad to help Conte turn the club back into Premier League title and Champions League contenders.

Abramovich was at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground last week and the pair lunched together with talk centred around how the club can make up the ground on Europe’s best.

Bonucci, the Juventus centre-back, would be Conte’s dream signing and Abramovich is prepared to try to make a transfer happen by bidding more than the £50?million Paris Saint-Germain paid the club for David Luiz, which is still a world record for a defender.

David Luiz was bought by PSG for £50m only to return to Chelsea for £30m CREDIT:REUTERS

Luiz returned to Stamford Bridge this summer for £30?million, but sources claim Abramovich is willing to bid more than £60?million to try to take Bonucci, who is widely considered the best central defender in the world, to Chelsea.

Juventus and Inter Milan officials travelled to London this week, although it is unclear whether their visit had anything to do with Chelsea’s interest in Bonucci or Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who the Blues looked at in the summer.

Conte managed Bonucci for three years at Juventus and also worked closely with him while he was in charge of Italy. The duo enjoyed a close relationship at club and international level, and earlier this year Bonucci said: “Conte will be a big success in England, Chelsea are already a very good team and he will have them challenging both in England and in Europe.

“He is the boss, and if you listen to him and show him respect, you will see he is one of the best bosses in the game. The players in the Italy team nicknamed him The Godfather. That means when he talks, you listen. You do what he says and you don’t argue. Players want to listen, though.” 

Conte managed Bonucci for three years at Juve CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Manchester City failed in an attempt to sign Bonucci during the summer and Chelsea would appear to face an even more difficult task to convince Juve to sell because they are not in the Champions League.

Any Chelsea bid in January could also spark a rival offer from City, but that will not stop Abramovich trying and there is much talk among rival directors and managers of the Russian’s intention to make a mark in the transfer market.

Abramovich has been eclipsed by City’s Sheikh Mansour and Manchester United in the spending stakes in recent years, but he is willing to redress the balance if Conte deems it necessary.

Following last season’s disaster and early defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal, Abramovich is determined to do what it takes to help Conte succeed in reviving Chelsea’s fortunes.

The defence has been Conte’s biggest problem during his first seven Premier League games in charge. Before last weekend’s victory over Hull City, when Conte switched to a back three and  played Victor Moses as a right wing-back, Chelsea had conceded nine goals.

Captain John Terry will return to the defence when he recovers fully from injury, but he will celebrate his 36th birthday in December and has less than 12 months on his contract to run.

Branislav Ivanovic’s deal is also due to expire at the end of the season and the Serb’s future looks bleak after he failed to turn around his bad form and was dropped for the Hull game.

Other than lining up an ambitious bid for Bonucci, Chelsea have also been tracking the best home-grown defensive talent and are one of a number of clubs interested in Burnley’s £25?million-rated Michael Keane, who has been called up to the England squad.

Abramovich also knows that he will be required to spend money on Chelsea’s midfield and attack over the course of the next two transfer windows.

Inter’s Brozovic was a target in the summer, but the complicated ownership of the Croatian meant that a deal was difficult to sort out in the final weeks of the transfer market. It remains to be seen whether interest is revived.

A move for a new forward is likely to have to wait until next summer, but Chelsea are among the clubs closely monitoring Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Real Madrid’s Álvaro Morata.

Griezmann has long been a target of Chelsea, who would be prepared to pay his €100?million (£87.9?million) release clause, while the Blues failed with a bid for Morata over the summer.

Aubameyang has worked his way on to Chelsea’s radar with seven goals already for Borussia Dortmund this season, including one in the Champions League draw with Real Madrid.

 

Don't know how good he is, but he's nearly 30, is it worth paying all that money when we may only get a few years out of him before he starts to decline?

1 hour ago, Zeta Orionis said:

Don't know how good he is, but he's nearly 30, is it worth paying all that money when we may only get a few years out of him before he starts to decline?

I reckon the thought process is that he'll be able to steady the ship and keep us challenging in the next couple of seasons giving time to the likes of Zouma & Christensen to mature and takeover.

 

Guys if he comes in then most probably Conte would opt for 3-5-2 so the three center backs would be zouma terry and bonucci maybe zouma competing with luiz but then can Azpilicueta play as a wing-back?? bcoz where would Azpi fit in Bonucci comes in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGIZHYYYDk4  Check this out btw

Quote

 

Edited October 6, 20168 yr by KTBFFHforever

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him sign a new Juve contract in the next few months.

6 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him sign a new Juve contract in the next few months.

Exactly my thinking. Standard agent negotiations to throw our name in.

On 10/6/2016 at 08:29, KTBFFHforever said:

Guys if he comes in then most probably Conte would opt for 3-5-2 so the three center backs would be zouma terry and bonucci maybe zouma competing with luiz but then can Azpilicueta play as a wing-back?? bcoz where would Azpi fit in Bonucci comes in.

I figure this is a good problem to have, but really, this is a move for next year if it were to happen.

Forget about Terry; we should not rely on him at his age. Christensen is more interesting if this were to happen. Assuming he comes back, both he and Bonucci will be accustomed to the back 3 so I assume they would be the preference. From there, if Zouma comes back full force (hopefully so by next season), Luiz should not hinder his development. Luiz would be great depth and good for games against smaller clubs. I would be thrilled with those four CBs going forward.

Not sure what this means for Azpi though. Not sure he is a proper wingback.

On 10/6/2016 at 17:41, Zeta Orionis said:

Don't know how good he is, but he's nearly 30, is it worth paying all that money when we may only get a few years out of him before he starts to decline?

Probably just a band-aid solution. Not for long term. Hope we won't pay that much for him.

On ?10?/?12?/?2016 at 19:23, Tibbers said:

Probably just a band-aid solution. Not for long term. Hope we won't pay that much for him.

I think you're right, he would steady the boat but the thinking behind his purchase would surely be the next couple of years. Although 50+ million is a ton of money to be spending on an aging defender.

I'd like to think we could get through this year with what we have,  and next year have a fully fit zouma and Christensen back in the squad to use.

One of the best in the world in his position. Won't mind for a couple of years.

1 hour ago, Adam252 said:

I think you're right, he would steady the boat but the thinking behind his purchase would surely be the next couple of years. Although 50+ million is a ton of money to be spending on an aging defender.

I'd like to think we could get through this year with what we have,  and next year have a fully fit zouma and Christensen back in the squad to use.

Neither Zouma Nor Christensen are leaders at the back and without John Terry, experience is also missing which is essential for a well-drilled backline. The top quality central defender or two is a must buy next summer.  Forget about the January transfer window as there won't be anyone good enough who would be available.

41 minutes ago, lchk said:

Neither Zouma Nor Christensen are leaders at the back and without John Terry, experience is also missing which is essential for a well-drilled backline. The top quality central defender or two is a must buy next summer.  Forget about the January transfer window as there won't be anyone good enough who would be available.

Completely agree Bonucci is one of the best central defenders out there right now and to be fair I didn't take leadership experience into account, but 50/60 million and on 30 year old defender who has never played outside Italy seems a bit steep.

All this being said,  I wouldn't be surprised if he signed a new contract at Juve and finishing his career there.

 will sign a new deal with Juventus. . . . . so put this rumour to rest.

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1991257/chelsea-transfer-target-leonardo-bonucci-to-be-offered-new-deal-to-keep-him-at-juventus/

10 hours ago, Adam252 said:

Completely agree Bonucci is one of the best central defenders out there right now and to be fair I didn't take leadership experience into account, but 50/60 million and on 30 year old defender who has never played outside Italy seems a bit steep.

All this being said,  I wouldn't be surprised if he signed a new contract at Juve and finishing his career there.

Correct.  Bonucci is Mr Juventus through and through and no amount of money will tempt him to leave.  Also, the Board will never sanction a 60 million pound move for any player, let alone Bonucci.  Still, the need for a world class central defender or two is sorely needed but sadly, I do not see the Board stumping up the cash.  20-30 million pound defenders will be the replacement for Terry and Cahill which means the likes of Michael Keane will be bought. 

Edited October 18, 20168 yr by lchk

20 hours ago, lchk said:

Correct.  Bonucci is Mr Juventus through and through and no amount of money will tempt him to leave.  Also, the Board will never sanction a 60 million pound move for any player, let alone Bonucci.  Still, the need for a world class central defender or two is sorely needed but sadly, I do not see the Board stumping up the cash.  20-30 million pound defenders will be the replacement for Terry and Cahill which means the likes of Michael Keane will be bought. 

The board would pay that for Griezmann 

With Azpi converting into a CB and doing the job nicely, we will be loaded with CD next season - Luiz/Azpi/Cahill/Zouma/Christensen. I don't see Bonucci as a high priority signing, sign a Keane for 20M would be a disaster as he will just be wasting his time on the bench.

it's only 2 games in i wouldn't jump the ship and say we don't need another cb, especially since he's only 5'10 unless if conte can turn him into cannavaro like

 

4 hours ago, havelschayes said:

it's only 2 games in i wouldn't jump the ship and say we don't need another cb, especially since he's only 5'10 unless if conte can turn him into cannavaro like

 

 

Ballon d'or for Azpi ?

12 hours ago, icecoolguy22 said:

With Azpi converting into a CB and doing the job nicely, we will be loaded with CD next season - Luiz/Azpi/Cahill/Zouma/Christensen. I don't see Bonucci as a high priority signing, sign a Keane for 20M would be a disaster as he will just be wasting his time on the bench.

Agreed, however i doubt we would remain in a 3-4-3 if Conte doesn't remain the manager. You know how things change fast from a winning streak to a losing one, and Roman is not known to be a patient man.

Well, let's hope nobody including Roman is speculating about Conte's future. As I see it, we just need to give him at least 18 months to implement his methods, and cop the good and bad along the way. Chelsea is almost running out of manager candidates, unless start courting the likes of Rodgers, Big SAM and David Moyes

Hey Bonucci...Saw the name for this area....Do you have a sister that went to ST. CATHERINE LABORE catholic primary school 60/66...

On ?10?/?19?/?2016 at 08:17, rtwelch said:

The board would pay that for Griezmann 

Don't bet on it.  I would be very surprised if any player deal was actually SIGNED (not just tabloid bidding talk and rival chairman's claims) for more than 50 million pounds.  Even going above 40 million pounds would shock me.   

On 10/20/2016 at 08:29, icecoolguy22 said:

Well, let's hope nobody including Roman is speculating about Conte's future. As I see it, we just need to give him at least 18 months to implement his methods, and cop the good and bad along the way. Chelsea is almost running out of manager candidates, unless start courting the likes of Rodgers, Big SAM and David Moyes

 

We got an electric, passionate manager now. His love for the game rubs off to everyone. Hopefully he's here for the long term

I Am A Juventus fan.

 

Bonucci is the best defender in the world in this moment and he have a great feeling with Antonio Conte who learned him how to stay on a the pitch with a shirt of a glorious team...But Probably he will left to Guardiola's Manchester city next season...in July Bonucci found an agreement  with Skies blues but the Juventus STOP the transfer.

In January, Bonucci stay to Juventus 100% to try to win the Champions League