Chelsea manger Antonio Conte was desperate to bring in a new centre-back in the summer after letting John Terry leave on a free.
And Bonucci was said to be top of Conte’s wishlist, having previously worked with him at Juventus and in the Italy national side.
According to Italian outlet Il Bianconero, Bonucci agreed to join Conte at Stamford Bridge after an informal meeting.
The pair met for dinner in Turin as Conte discussed a potential move to Chelsea, but an official offer from Chelsea failed to materialise.
And after Chelsea opted to bring in Antonio Rudiger from Roma, Bonucci joined rivals AC Milan.
Bonucci won three Serie A titles under Conte and recently admitted he was the best manager he has ever worked with.
“I have been coached by some great coaches," he told Tencent Sport.
"Each one of them has given me something but the best one and the manager that has given me the most is Conte.
"I could work every day with him and I have improved as a player and as a human being."
