Chelsea news: Why Bonucci’s transfer broke down after Turin meeting with Conte

LEONARDO BONUCCI informally agreed a move to Chelsea in the summer but the Blues failed to make Juventus an official offer, according to reports in Italy.

Leonardo BonucciGETTY

Leonardo Bonucci was reportedly keen to join Chelsea but the offer never came

Leonardo Bonucci left Juventus in the summer for AC Milan but according to shock reports in Italy things could have been very different.

The experienced centre-half was linked with a potential move to Chelsea to link up with former boss Antonio Conte.

And according to website Il Bianconero, the 30-year-old did agree to join the Blues in an informal meeting with Conte this summer.

However, despite wanting the move, an official offer from Stamford Bridge never came and the defender instead opted for a move to the San Siro.

Antonio ConteGETTY

Antonio Conte reportedly met with Leonardo Bonucci this summer and convinced him to sign

Fiercest moments of Chelsea target Leonardo Bonucci

Il Bianconero claim Bonucci and Conte met for dinner in Turin in the summer and discussed his potential move to Chelsea.

Everything was said to hinge on an agreement being made with Juve but the Premier League champions made no offer.

The failed deal looks to have been a bad decision on the Blues’ part, with Conte under pressure at Stamford Bridge given his recent run of poor results.

And Bonucci has similarly endured a tough start to the campaign with his move to Milan not working out so far.

The centre-half assumed the captaincy following his move to the San Siro and has bore the brunt of the fans’ frustrations this term.

Despite spending big in the summer, Milan are struggling in the league and sit 10th in Serie A while their rivals Inter are riding high in second place.

Speaking about his move to the San Siro earlier this month, Bonucci said: The Rossoneri project is what pushed me to choose this great challenge. 

“I knew there would be difficulties, but I accepted it because I wanted to challenge myself again.”

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