AC Milan’s new general manager, the Brazilian Leonardo, confirmed Leonardo Bonucci’s desire to return to Juventus after only one season. The 31-year-old defender shockingly transferred to the Rossoneri in 2017 after six years of dominance in Serie A.
The added allure to Juventus, not that it needs any, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer may have enticed Bonucci’s willingness to return. With the controversy riddled AC Milan though, a questionable ownership change and Financial Fair Play issues, Bonucci may leave for these reasons instead.
It’s not like Bonucci isn’t playing hard for Milan, so don’t get that twisted.
FULL TIME #MilanInter #TimCup #LB19 #WeAreATeam pic.twitter.com/6rX17OGW7C
— Leonardo Bonucci (@bonucci_leo19) December 27, 2017
Milan’s Leonardo had a vague and deflective statement on Bonucci returning to Juve.
“I’ve met Juve’s bosses because Bonucci has put in a transfer request, so we’ll have to see if the negotiations go through," the club manager told reporters at a news conference.
Leonardo then commented on the club’s noncompliance to Financial Fair Play, which has resulted in a ban that was eventually appealed thanks to the savvy efforts of the club’s hedge fund owners. He diverted the conversation to Gennaro Gattuso’s possible replacement with Antonio Conte as head coach.
“I hear talk of Conte, but this is normal," Leonardo said. "We are in the middle of the market and there is a top manager unemployed. No one has ever spoken to Conte.
"There is Gattuso, who has grown and we are going forward with him.”
The Gattuso guidance has come in handy to Bonucci, he did manage this goal against Juve:
Goal @bonucci_leo19 pic.twitter.com/dRDc9bbUBO
— Curva Sud Indonesia (@CurvaSudIndo) March 31, 2018
Calcio Mercato reported contradictory information to Leonardo’s rhetoric. The Italian football transfer website alleges Juventus defender Mattia Caldara is already in talks with Milan for an exchange with Bonucci. The website also claims the deal has been halted given Juventus’ interest in keeping the former Atalanta defender.
Juventus club general manager Beppe Marotta confirmed in an interview with Sky Sport Italia that, indeed, Bonucci should not expect a return as Juve has no demand for him. Ouch.
“Certainly I have understood from the management of Milan that the desire and feeling of Bonucci is that he wants to return to the club where he played many years,” Marotta said.
Bonucci and former teammate and Juve captain Giorgio Chiellini were recently at the Canadian Grand Prix Formula 1 races:
.@chiellini and @bonucci_leo19 joining us now in our garage #Quali #Q3 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/zZzzeqkkmE
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 9, 2018
Bonucci, alongside Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, redefined Italian football and set a new worldwide defending standard as a three-man roadblock.
“At the moment, our defense is full, so if nobody leaves, Leo (Bonucci) can’t return," Marotta said. "On the other hand, there is great reciprocal respect with Leo, but I don’t want to go any further than this because, as I can only repeat, we are currently fine in that area."
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