Manchester United are the latest club to express interest in Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, with club sources telling ESPN FC that the 29-year-old's name was brought up in negotiations over Paul Pogba.
Once the signing of the French midfielder is secure -- with various sources at Old Trafford now confident that will be the case -- manager Jose Mourinho will fully turn his attention to buying a second centre-back, completing what would be a hugely productive and efficiently worked summer for the club.
United expect a fee of just over €100 million to finally sway Juventus, with all personal details having been agreed with Pogba's agent, and the club have asked about Bonucci in the process of negotiations.
Mourinho has already brought in Eric Bailly from Villarreal -- along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free contract and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund -- but did identify central defence as the area that most needs strengthening after central midfield.
The problem for United with Bonucci is the interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, with sources saying the latter are far more advanced in negotiations, although Juventus are asking for at least €60m.
The decision to sell Pogba could also mean the Turin club are more resistant to letting the Italian defender go. United also retain an interest in John Stones of Everton, who City are also pursuing.
Should United bring in a second centre-half, Phil Jones or Marcos Rojo could be tipped to leave Old Trafford.
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