Leonardo Bonucci won’t be coming back to Italy but he will indeed transfer in January, as Fenerbahce have come to terms with him and Union Berlin. The move will be official in a couple of days once the market opens in Turkey, SportMediaset relays.
The defender will reach Istanbul on Wednesday to take the medicals. He’ll rescind his contract with the German outfit without a severance package. He’ll earn €1.3M for the next six months in Turkey.
Bonucci didn’t change his mind about departing after his transfer to Roma collapsed at the 11th hour and was talked into joining Fenerbahce by former Giallorossi and Inter striker Edin Dzeko. The two have the same agent.
🟡🔵🇹🇷 It's Leonardo Bonucci day at Fenerbahçe. The Italian centre back travels to Istanbul today and he will sign short-term deal until June.
€1.3m salary until the end of the season for Bonucci, also Union Berlin will receive compensation to terminate contract.
All done. pic.twitter.com/hASR9uBjTo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2024
The veteran initially preferred to return to Serie A to have better chances of making the Euro squad. He received reassurances on that front from Luciano Spalletti. He’ll be in consideration if he fares well in the Super Lig. The 36-year-old has never been called up since Roberto Mancini stepped down. He’s on the move again after logging just ten appearances with Union Berlin, paying the price for a recent coaching change.
Our Take on Bonucci and Fenerbahce
It’s a decent and non-controversial landing spot that’ll keep him relevant. However, a few younger defenders are showing much better than him this season. While he’s no longer a workhorse nor elite, it’s a minor missed opportunity for a few Serie A teams that could have used an experienced man in the back.
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