Serie A’s astonishing transfer market window continues with another blockbuster deal involving Juventus, which have brought back Leonardo Bonucci in exchange for Mattia Caldara. Both players were valued €35M, so there will be no cash involved, but the swap facilitated the transfer of Gonzalo Higuain. The Azzurri captain and the 24-year-old defender both inked a five-year contract.
The trade was initiated by Bonucci’s desire to come back to the Old Lady a year after his €42M move to the Rossoneri. He was the subject of some buzz even before this possibility emerged since the ownership saga made him question the plans of the club. He was mildly linked to PSG and the English giants.
Bonucci left Juventus for a rift with coach Massimiliano Allegri, which notably led to him being sent to the stands against Porto, but that has reportedly been mended. The defender still has a lot of support in the locker room and took a pay cut to return to Turin, where his family is still located. He played over 300 games in seven seasons with the Madama, winning six titles.
Caldara was acquired by the Bianconeri a year and half ago from Atalanta for €19M and stayed in Bergamo on loan, blossoming into one of the best young defenders. He collected 66 appearances and scoring a hefty ten goals. Alongside Alessio Romagnoli, he is set to form a well-assorted duo of Italian centre-backs.
Prior to this summer, the Juventus brass and coaching staff had indicated Caldara as a big part of their future plans, however they did not particularly hesitate when Milan insisted to include him in the deal as a condition to buy Higuain.
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