Chelsea transfer news: Blues £60m target Leonardo Bonucci extends Juventus contract to 2021

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James Benge19 December 2016

Chelsea target Leonardo Bonucci has signed a new contract at Juventus that will prolong his stay at the Italian giants until 2021.

Antonio Conte made the centre-back his top target in both the summer and January transfer window but convincing the 29-year-old to end his six-and-a-half year stay in Turin was always likely to be a tough challenge.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side have rewarded Bonucci’s loyalty with an additional year on his deal, which is reported to have taken the defender’s salary to around £100,000-a-week including bonuses.

Bonucci was one of the stars of Euro 2016 and has won 10 major trophies at Juventus, reaching the Champions League final in 2015. Though Chelsea and Manchester City could likely have offered him better terms than he has signed in Italy but the chance to taste further success has convinced him to reject interest from England.

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“I have renewed until 2021,” Bonucci said. “I chose the place where I became great among the greats. I have only one objective, to keep winning!”

Speaking last month Bonucci, who grew up on the outskirts of Rome, revealed the affinity he had built with La Vecchia Signora, saying: “I feel I have the Juve shirt sewn to my body because I breathe it every day…

“I feel like I am at a turning point in my career now. Anybody can have one or two great years but it is now up to me to continue this. I will give all I have got to improve my qualities and be important for Juve and for the national team.”

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