"?Manchester City and Chelsea are set to lock horns in a race to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, with both clubs resurrecting long-standing interest in the player, according to "?the "?Daily Star"?.
Bonucci was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer with several reports linking him to a move to the Premier League before he ultimately decided to stay with the Serie A champions.
However, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte are both looking to strengthen their defences and may tempt the Italy international and give the 29-year-old another difficult decision to make.
Bonucci: I was tempted to join Guardiola at Man City https://t.co/gu8V6mFIgh pic.twitter.com/4lg1IG0iGu
Conte's need for defensive reinforcements was laid bare on Saturday evening when Arsenal ripped his Chelsea side apart during a 3-0 defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. With John Terry injured, Conte has grown concerned over the depth of his squad and feels the need to add an experienced, top-class defender to his ranks.
Guardiola, meanwhile, has prioritised the recruitment of a potential Vincent Kompany replacement and it is understood Bonucci features high on the list of prospective candidates. The Belgian is set for another extended spell on the sidelines and Guardiola may well instruct City's Qatari owners to pursue the capture of Bonucci's signature.
The major stumbling block in any potential deal is Bonucci's £50m price-tag and the fact that Juventus remain reluctant not to conduct any business that may see one of world's finest centre-halves depart Turin.
The intriguing element is that Bonucci previously revealed that he has been offered the chance to play in the Premier League before and admitted he was tempted by the opportunity. With his former manager Conte now at Stamford Bridge, the temptation may yet grow stronger.
"If I said that I wasn't tempted this summer by an offer from England, above all for the coach that wanted me, then that would be a lie," Bonucci told Mediaset Premium.
"But Juventus is my home and I am happy to have remained. My dream was to win with this shirt and now I am here, ready to improve as a player and challenge myself to make this team become a legend."