Juventus identify Manchester City defender as Leonardo Bonucci replacement

Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte is being considered as a potential replacement to Leonardo Bonucci at Serie A giants Juventus.

The 29 year-old, who made just 20 starts across all competitions for Manchester City last season, has been linked with a potential exit from the Etihad Stadium after spiralling down Pep Guardiola’s defensive pecking order.

In contrast, Laporte made 43 starts during the 2021/22 Premier League title winning season, as the form of Nathan Ake, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias hugely impacted the Spaniard’s minutes over the course of the treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.

Laporte won four trophies with club and country during the past season, and also featured for Spain at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last winter.

The Manchester City defender lifted the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup with the Sky Blues, as well as the Nations League trophy with Spain.

Laporte previously switched international allegiance from France to Spain and joined Manchester City from La Liga side Atletico Bilbao in 2018 for £57 million.

The 29 year-old has turned down interest from Tottenham this summer, but could still leave the treble-winners, who are in talks to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.

Sport Witness relay a report from Corriere dello Sport, who claim that Serie A giants Juventus have identified the City centre-back as a potential replacement for Leonardo Bonucci.

Fellow outlet Calciomercato further report that Laporte is considered as a ‘priority target’ for Juventus, and that the 29 year-old has already informed the Italian outfit of his ‘willingness’ to join the club.

Laporte is out of contract at Manchester City in 2025, and Juventus have reportedly communicated to the Blues via intermediaries of their ‘desire’ to sign Laporte on a loan with the option to buy.

City are looking to sell for no less than €30 million, although Juventus are claimed to be ‘convinced’ that the Premier League champions would accept their conditions for a transfer.

Laporte has made 179 appearances and won 11 trophies, including five Premier League titles, since signing for Manchester City five years ago.

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