Why Man United Blocked Leonardo Bonucci Transfer
REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino
Leonardo Bonucci could have joined Manchester United this summer had the club’s executives shown genuine interest in securing his services.
The Red Devils have been sloppy at the back this season, having already conceded 7 goals in the Premier League, suffering thumping defeats to Brighton and Tottenham in the process.
Jose Mourinho was forced to start Ander Herrera as a center-back in the game against Spurs, but the move backfired.
Mourinho had submitted a long list of players who he wanted to bring to Old Trafford this summer, as he needed a centre-back who could partner Eric Bailly in the heart of the defense.
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Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci expressed his desire to leave AC Milan in the summer, and the 31-year-old was immediately put on Manchester United‘s transfer wish-list, as the English giants were in desperate need of a defender.
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But Ed Woodward wasn’t ready to splash the cash to sign Bonucci, which saw Mourinho miss out on yet another target. A few weeks later, the Italy international sealed his return to Juventus, in a move that saw Mattia Caldara move to San Siro.
This seemed to the pattern at Manchester United throughout the summer. The Mancunians were linked with Toby Alderweireld, Jerome Boateng, and Harry Maguire, but none of the moves materialised.
On deadline day, the Red Devils made a last-ditch attempt to sign Diego Godin from Atletico Madrid, but he wasn’t interested in a move to England either.
According to reports, Woodward was ready to spend £100 million for Raphael Varane, but Real Madrid made it clear that the Frenchman won’t be sold, leaving Mourinho to make-do with the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for the campaign.