‘He wanted me’ – Euro 2020 winner reveals Pep Guardiola looked to sign him last year

Leonardo Bonucci has admitted to almost signing for Manchester City earlier this year, with Pep Guardiola reportedly a big fan of the Juventus legend.

The Italy international is a legendary figure in Turin having made 449 appearances across two spells for Juventus, the stint being interrupted by a year at AC Milan.

However, the 34-year-old’s career could have turned out differently with the veteran acknowledging that he has had multiple chances to move to the Premier League champions having been approached by Pep Guardiola.

Speaking to The Athletic, Bonucci said: “I had this dream of being coached by Pep. The closest we came was in 2016. I was on the brink of joining City. We were down to the very last details then Juventus decided not to sell.

“We decided to stay together. Then, when I went to AC Milan, I could have gone to City but several things had to fall into place for it to happen.

Unwilling to say goodbye to The Old Lady for a second time, Bonucci admits that he had to once again turn down Guardiola’s advances earlier this year.

“I’d also given my word to Milan. Last year, I spoke to Pep (Guardiola) again. He wanted me but said: ‘Juventus is my home. I’m happy here. I feel at home here’.”

“I wanted to make up the ground I lost by going to Milan for a season. Becoming a symbol of Juventus again is the most exciting thing I could be doing in my career right now.”

With the likes of Dias, Stones and Aymeric Laporte now playing so well for City, it is arguably for the best that the move fell through, as Bonucci is now set to spend the rest of his career at the club he calls home.