Chelsea linked with Italian international defender

There are rumours coming out of Italy that Chelsea are considering an offer for the Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci. The 22 year-old has only recently got his first call up for the Italian international first team after an extremely impressive season at Bari.

Bonucci was an Inter Milan player for three seasons from 2006 to 2009, but only made one appearance for the Serie A champions in all that time, spending loan periods at both Treviso and Pisa, before finally being off-loaded to Bari (via Genoa) last summer.

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He immediately became a first team player and formed a strong partnership with Andrea Ranocchia to help Bari to one of the best defensive records in Italy.

At 6ft 3in he has matured into one of the most coveted defenders in Seria A and Inter Milan are regretting that they let him go so easily. Juventus and Manchester City are also reported to be showing an interest.