According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is still hopeful that he can complete a £48m deal to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Italian boss is keen to bring in a new centre-back with John Terry leaving the club following the expiry of his contract, and he has been linked with a number of players in recent weeks, including Bonucci and Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk.

However, it appears as though the former is his top target, and the Blues are ready to offer the 30-year-old a four-year deal worth £115,000-a-week to bring the Italy international – who suffered Champions League heartbreak against Real Madrid on Saturday – to the Premier League.

Conte knows him well, doesn’t he?

He certainly does.

The 47-year-old managed Bonucci during his time as coach of Juventus and the Italy national team and he knows all about the qualities that the 30-year-old centre-back could bring to the Blues backline.

What qualities would he bring to Chelsea?

He is a committed defender who loves a battle and is a real leader – much like Terry – and he would certainly be a big personality on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Also comfortable on the ball, he would be able to make a seamless transition into the current Chelsea side.

Would he be a starter?

With Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz performing so well as a three-man defence throughout the campaign, it is hard to make a case for any of them being dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

However, if Bonucci did make the move to Stamford Bridge there is no doubt that he would be a regular starter, leaving Conte with something of a conundrum.

Of course, Azpilicueta could play the right wing-back role or one of either Cahill or Luiz would be dropped from the starting line-up.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, if Conte wants a new centre-back this summer there are few better options on the market than Bonucci right now.

There is no doubt that the Italian could bring quality and experience at the back to help the club in their quest to win the Premier League and Champions League next season, and if he wants to move to England then it is a no-brainer.

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