Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci: 'I turned down Premier League move'

Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci in action against Inter during their Serie A match on September 14, 2013
© Getty Images
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci claims that he was tempted by a move to the Premier League this summer amid reported interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has admitted that he was tempted by a move to the Premier League over the summer.

The 29-year-old, who has clocked up more than 200 appearances for the Bianconeri, has been at the Serie A giants since 2010 and has played in Italy all his career so far.

Reports over the summer had linked him to Antonio Conte's Chelsea and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but the centre-back ultimately opted to stay put in Turin.

"If I said that I wasn't tempted this summer by an offer from England, above all for the coach that wanted me, then that would be a lie," Bonucci is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying.

"But Juventus is my home and I am happy to have remained. My dream was to win with this shirt and now I am here, ready to improve as a player and challenge myself to make this team become a legend."

Bonucci has won 63 caps for Italy and helped the nation to second place at Euro 2012.

Leonardo Bonucci scores during the game between Juventus and Hellas Verona on January 6, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Juventus6501124815
2Napoli6420145914
3SassuoloSassuolo640286212
4Inter Milan632186211
5AC Milan631287110
6AC Chievo VeronaChievo631276110
7Lazio6312107310
8Roma6312148610
9Bologna6312810-210
10Torino622211748
11Genoa52217528
12Fiorentina52215418
13CagliariCagliari6213912-37
14Udinese621369-37
15Sampdoria620469-36
16Atalanta BCAtalanta6204912-36
17Palermo612337-45
18Empoli611428-64
19Pescara6033510-53
20Crotone6015414-101