Manchester United Transfer News: Leonardo Bonucci Battle with City, Top Rumours

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Manchester United will reportedly battle with rivals Manchester City to bring Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus to the club this summer.

That's according to La Stampa (h/t calciomercato.com ^[1]), which has stated while Chelsea were initially expected to be the team that would go after Bonucci, the two local rivals have emerged as the main candidates, with both seeking to rebuild the defensive structure of their respective sides.

It's also made clear that while managers Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are keen to acquire the 29-year-old, Juve "does not want to sell its defensive lynchpin."

Bonucci has been such a vital player for the Bianconeri, excelling in a three-man defence under incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte, then for Massimiliano Allegri in the same setup and in a back four. Here is a look at what makes the former Inter Milan man such a special footballer:

In Turin, he has blossomed into a wonderful stopper, playing an important role in Juventus' five successive Scudetto triumphs.

Alongside Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and with Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, the Bianconeri's defensive shape has been impenetrable at times. These numbers from WhoScored.com are an indication of just how effective the triumvirate has been at the base of this successful spell in the club's history:

GRAPHIC: Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini https://t.co/jTsq1MSsXZ pic.twitter.com/MGi1BPjGxJ ^[4]^[5]
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 21, 2016 ^[6]

Bonucci would tick a lot of boxes for both Mourinho and Guardiola. For the former, the rugged defensive presence he provides will be particularly appealing, as the Italian is a player who relishes physical battles and committing in the tackle. Additionally, he's a superb distributor and a very intelligent player, attributes the latter coach would love to harness.

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Bonucci is a supremely balanced defender.

However, getting him out of Turin will be difficult. "I'm happy in Turin, my family is happy here," said the player himself recently to Quotidiano Sportivo (h/t ESPN FC's David Amoyal ^[7]). "I'm proud to be part of Juve and see no reason to leave."

The Italian giants are certainly a team on the up and will want to fight for the UEFA Champions League this season. While the Premier League, Mourinho and Guardiola may be enticing prospects for the player, so too will that challenge.

Hirving Lozano Approach Revealed

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Pachuca's vice-president Andres Fassi has confirmed that Manchester United have made an offer for their 20-year-old winger Hirving Lozano.

"There have been approaches [from United]," he said, per Jack Gaughan ^[8] of the MailOnline. "There will be time to focus on the future of [Lozano]. Over] several years [we have] a structure of great relationship with many teams of England, in Portugal in Spain, in France, in Italy and in Germany. There are some agreements that allow the player to go to Europe in the future."

The Mexico international is rated as one of the country's most exciting young prospects having excelled with Pachuca last term. He netted 12 goals in total and dazzled with his pace and quick feet. Here are some of his best moments:

Lozano would excel in a lot of categories when it comes to the standard United blueprint. He's direct, skilful and willing to take risks in the final third; Fox Sports' Keith Costigan was struck by his talent early in the player's career:

Could tell the minute I saw Hirving Lozano as a youth Intl that he had the tools to become a top player.
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) June 6, 2016 ^[11]

It'd be a big step up for the Mexican, although United have had success buying from the Liga MX previously; Lozano's international team-mate, Javier Hernandez, now of Bayer Leverkusen, was a big hit in his first season in the Premier League, helping his club to the title.

Expecting similar things of Lozano would be unfair if he was to make a move, although the talent is evidently there for him to become a big hit wherever he opts to play his football. With chief scout Jim Lawlor said to have "made checks" on the player personally according to Gaughan, it seems as though the Red Devils' interest is very real indeed.