What’s the story?
Real Madrid have identified Leonardo Bonucci as the ideal replacement for Pepe according to Don Balon. The Spanish publication has reported that the defender is Zidane's #1 choice after his impressive display against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League last 8.
Los Blancos are ready to pay £60 million for the Italian – a world record fee for a defender in the history of football. David Luiz is still the most expensive defender in the world thanks to PSG, who paid £50 million to sign him from Chelsea.
Madrid are planning a squad overhaul in the summer and want to have an experienced defender in the squad alongside Ramos. Pepe is set to be released at the end of the season while Varane is also being linked with a move away.
In case you didn’t know...
Pepe's contract at Real Madrid expires in the summer, and he's free to discuss a pre-contract with any club abroad. The La Liga giants are yet to start negotiations with the defender despite him having just months left on his contract.
The Portuguese international is reportedly set for a move to China. He has reportedly been offered a 3-year contract worth €55 million by an unnamed Chinese club.
Chinese clubs have been on a spending spree recently and have signed several top stars from Europe. Star players like Oscar, Hulk, Alex Teixeira, Ramires, Paulinho, Gervinho, Graziano Pelle, Demba Ba, Jackson Martinez and Papiss Demba Cissé, have rejected offers from European clubs to move to the Chinese Super League.
The heart of the matter
Reports suggest that the Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has set his sights on the Juventus defender as he begins the overhaul of the club's defence. Bonucci's performances against Barcelona in the Champions League this season are said to have convinced the Real president to sign him.
Zidane wants to pair Bonucci with club captain, Sergio Ramos to make a formidable back line. The 29-year-old is said to have attracted interest from some Europe's top clubs as well, including Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona.
What’s next?
Real Madrid will look to beat the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City to the defender. Juventus will demand at least £70 million for him if they are to let go of the Italian.
Barcelona are not going to let him slip away too easily. They are also keen on signing him and will bid higher than what Real Madrid offer without a doubt.
Author’s Take
It's not a surprise that European giants at interested in signing Bonucci but one must keep in mind that he is 29 and will only have a few more years of top-level football left in him. He can form a formidable partnership with Ramos if they actually sign him, that's without a doubt.
