Premier League titans Chelsea and Manchester City will reportedly duel to sign Leonardo Bonucci, but Juventus are said to have told both clubs the defender is not for sale. Elsewhere, Inter Milan have had a bid rejected for Chelsea target Antonio Candreva.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, both Chelsea and Manchester City have been warned off making a move for Italy centre-back Bonucci (h/t CalcioMercato.com).

The report mentioned Juve will “refuse any offers” that come their way as incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte looks to his former club for reinforcements in west London.

The ex-Juve chief won three Serie A titles with Bonucci at the heart of his back line, and the 29-year-old has established himself as arguably Italy’s best defender, which OptaPaolo recently helped illustrate:

Conte’s success with the Old Lady was built on a stern defence first and foremost, but with Chelsea veteran John Terry edging toward the end of his Blues career, he may not find as talented a stable in west London.

The report added inbound Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is “known for being a big fan” of Bonucci, but Gianluca Di Marzio translator David Amoyal presented perhaps the biggest factor stopping any deal:

As long as Bonucci remains happy in Turin, and the team are still winning titles, tempting him away from Turin seems like a near-impossible task, given the status he boasts in his current setting.

Juve’s defensive trio of Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini have been dubbed the “BBC,” a spin on Real Madrid‘s own holy triumvirate of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Alvaro Morata recently left Turin for Madrid, and he had high praise for his former Juve team-mates, per Spanish daily Marca (h/t Sport):

[Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini] are the best defenders in the world for how they defend – teams don’t want to play against them. 

When they play together as a three, it’s almost impossible to score a goal.

Scoring goals in Italy is much more difficult. They’re experts in defending. 

In Spain, you get seven clean chances to receive the ball and score. In Italy, you have only a few clear balls and must hit the target to score.

Elsewhere, Amoyal reported for Di Marzio that Inter’s €18 million (£15 million) bid for Lazio winger Candreva has been rejected, although the Nerazurri are likely to return with an improved offer.

The Sun‘s Antony Kastrinakis recently reported the Blues were eyeing a £25 million move for Candreva, who has had a very positive impact in the international setup under Conte:

The Azzurri head coach will undoubtedly have a firm understanding of how the Eagles flyer operates, and Candreva may be seen as a realistic option after Lazio finished eighth in Serie A last season.

According to Amoyal, Inter manager Roberto Mancini is “always pressing” in his hunt to land Candreva, but the allure of a lucrative move to the Premier League could turn his head in England’s direction.  

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