Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci has started talks with Lazio over a potential switch to the Stadio Olimpico.
According to Alfredo Pedulla, negotiations between the parties are underway despite Union Berlin’s recent effort to lure the 36-year-old away from Serie A.
Bonucci’s priority is to stay in his homeland and secure regular first-team opportunities ahead of the upcoming 2024 European Championship.
However, Juventus have no interest in offering their loyal servant a lifeline in Turin, even though the ex-AC Milan centre-back featured 26 times last season.
The relationship between the parties has reached a breaking point, with the player’s lawyers recently threatening to take the dispute to court after Allegri froze the veteran out of the squad.
Juventus are craving a more peaceful solution, considering the last thing they need is another charade following a series of off-field problems related to financial manipulations earlier this year.
While the record-time Italian champions are unwilling to reintegrate Bonucci into their squad, they won’t stand in his way should he find a new arrangement elsewhere.
Union have made a tangible offer, looking to boost their squad after securing a maiden Champions League qualification, courtesy of last season’s fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
They poached Brandon Aaronson and David Datro Fofana from the Premier League this summer, while Lucas Tousart has joined the club from Hertha Berlin.
A raft of summer signings has reinforced Die Eisernen’s hopes of adding another formidable player to their squad, but Bonucci isn’t convinced.
The experienced centre-back has spent his entire professional career in Italy and has little interest in leaving the country towards the end of his playing days.
Juventus wouldn’t mind seeing him in the Lazio shirt in 2023/24, even though the clubs are expected to battle it for a top-four finish in Serie A.
