Leonardo Bonucci

[bluesince76]

You like to think city will have sounded out Bonucci first, that's the way these deals work now... get the ok from player then bid/negotiate.

If we've actually bid, and that's the unknown, then I can't imagine we've done it without the player indicating he'd come. I also can't imagine we'd formally do it without Juve being ready for it. They may have told us to bid just so they can publicly reject it to make themselves look good with their fans, which is always a risk, or this could be the usual play where they reject a low offer and see what the fans say - if they're protesting outside the stadium, they won't sell, but if they hear "we wouldn't accept £38m, but at £45m you'd have to think what we could do with the money" they know they can let him go.

As Churchill (I think) said "would you have sex with me for £1m, madam?" "Certainly, sir". "Would you have sex with me for £1?" "Absolutely not, I'm not that sort of girl!" "I think we've established what sort of girl you are, now we're just haggling over the price"

 

[KiLP12]

You've forgotten we are almost definitely signing Leroy Sane and Bruno Peres.

Kroos as well.

 

[MCFC1993]

You've forgotten we are almost definitely signing Leroy Sane and Bruno Peres.

Sane could mean the end for Nasri/Yaya. Maybe even Navas/Fernando despite the rumours that they've been told they are safe.
Bruno Peres could mean the end for both Zab and Sagna.
Kroos could mean the end for anyone of our midfielders within reason.

It will all depend on how Pep views them in training.

 

[domalino]

Pep had 6 CB's on hand at Bayern. I wouldn't be so quick to think Mangala and Otamendi are going to be sold. We have to start having a new way of thinking now that Pep is actually here. He now has an extra trophy he's going to want to win compared to his last 2 clubs. He's going to want to keep the squad fresh and keep the squad at a high level. Not just having a good starting XI and serviceable guys in the squad. Often times it's been mentioned how we had depth only to be let down by the guys who weren't usually on the 18 man match day list coming into the line up. Now we are looking to have genuine depth at every position. Pep likes to see who understands the different tactics for each game so we won't always have the same line up/formation unless we hit the ground running and the first XI we use is beating everybody.

All and all I would hold off on betting who's going to get sold and just appreciate the possible in comings. We might be on the verge of something special.

The difference is that half his 6 centrebacks could play elsewhere easily

I'm assuming your 6 are Boateng, Badstuber, Benatia, Alaba, Martinez and Kimmich?

Badstuber hasn't really played for 4 years. He's really just a token.

Benatia is as injury prone as Kompany

Alaba is a left back, CB, CM and number 10.

Martinez is also defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder - sometimes all three in one game.

Kimmich is a midfielder and right back.

Our CBs would be...centrebacks. Maybe Stones could play RB but not very well based on his play there at Everton. Same with Denayer, he's a makeshift RB.

Mangala, Kompany, Otamendi and Bonucci are only ever gonna be centre backs.

 

[BlueCityfan]

I'm in favor of signing him. One of the best CB's in the world. Althought, i wonder if we are going to adress our FB positions at all.

 

[MCFC1993]

He would be a brilliant signing despite being 29 years old. We need a leader at the back and cannot keep relying on Kompany. We can't put the responsibility on Stones to lead the defence if we get him as well, a captain figure is needed in our team desperately.

However, I don't think we stand any chance of signing him. For juve to sell Bonucci and Pogba in the same window, well... That would be borderline suicidal.

Unless we offer a big enough fee that makes them think we'll take that and keep hold of Pogba.

 

[MCFC1993]

I'm in favor of signing him. One of the best CB's in the world. Althought, i wonder if we are going to adress our FB positions at all.

We may be set to play 3 at the back under Pep. He also has Angelino and Maffeo in training, he may want to take a look at them before making any decisions on a full back.

 

[domalino]

Sane could mean the end for Nasri/Yaya. Maybe even Navas/Fernando despite the rumours that they've been told they are safe.
Bruno Peres could mean the end for both Zab and Sagna.
Kroos could mean the end for anyone of our midfielders within reason.

It will all depend on how Pep views them in training.

I really don't think Pep will sell Sagna and from what ric has said Peres and Zaba is basically a swap.

If Navas/Fernando go despite the club briefing everyone they are staying, it suggests a very bad lack of planning the transfer window.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Can anyone think of one good reason for Juventus to sell him?

At 29 years old, this might be the last chance Juve could get a big transfer fee for him....it might also allow them to keep hold of Pogba....

 

[citizens_1976]

Unless we offer a big enough fee that makes them think we'll take that and keep hold of Pogba.

Possibly, that seems the only viable option to me.

Pogba might push through a move though, not sure Bonucci would.

 

[citizens_1976]

As long as we move Mangala on this transfer window, I will be happy. The man is absolutely pants.

 

[MCFC1993]

I really don't think Pep will sell Sagna and from what ric has said Peres and Zaba is basically a swap.

If Navas/Fernando go despite the club briefing everyone they are staying, it suggests a very bad lack of planning the transfer window.

Sagna, Fernando, Yaya, Navas and Nasri could all be borderline based on age and performances. Although Sagna has earned his spot imo. Add to that I had 1 unfilled spot. That was assuming Bony, Kolarov, Zabaleta and Mangala were gone. If Bonucci came it could even mean Otamendi is vulnerable.

In regards to what the club have briefed, not everything always goes along with Plan A as we seen with the Laporte deal, although in this case it would be like for like with Bonucci replacing Laporte.

 

[nmc]

At 29 years old, this might be the last chance Juve could get a big transfer fee for him....it might also allow them to keep hold of Pogba....

Bonucci's last chance to secure a huge contract - double your money plus some - and maybe his agents last chance to earn a huge wedge from this client. The player and agent must have encouraged us if we've bid.

 

[mosssideblue]

As long as we move Mangala on this transfer window, I will be happy. The man is absolutely pants.

You may need to be prepared for disappointment then. Let's see what Pep gets from him before condemning him

 

[nmc]

You may need to be prepared for disappointment then. Let's see what Pep gets from him before condemning him

He's a big lad Mangala - I wonder if Pep will try him in nets!

 

[bluethai]

This deal is as easy as De Rossi's imo.

 

[Blue Haze]

This deal is as easy as De Rossi's imo.

Agreed. Italian club with loyal Italian. Hard to pry those away, for whatever reason. You would think doubling his wage would be a no-brainer.

 

[citizens_1976]

You may need to be prepared for disappointment then. Let's see what Pep gets from him before condemning him

Pep won't like him, he doesn't have a football brain for a start. I reckon Pep may ship him off.

 

[MeatHunterrr]

Agreed. Italian club with loyal Italian. Hard to pry those away, for whatever reason. You would think doubling his wage would be a no-brainer.

Impossible almost, just can't see this happening at all, bit too ambitious.

 

[mosssideblue]

Pep won't like him, he doesn't have a football brain for a start. I reckon Pep may ship him off.

French International without a football brain. Tell us more