When 1. FC Union Berlin announced the transfer of Italian legend Leonardo Bonucci in late summer, the Champions League participant was celebrated for his coup. The Köpenickers have now been eliminated from the premier class and Bonucci did not prove to be the reinforcement they had hoped for. Will separation already occur in winter? Quite possible, because the defender still has an important goal in mind.
An intense whiff of top international football floated through the Alte Försterei at the beginning of September when Union Berlin introduced Leonardo Bonucci. The defensive veteran should help the Iron team, who surprisingly qualified for the Champions League, with his experience. But that hardly worked. The former Juventus star only appeared in three games in the Champions League and only scored two points on the European stage with his new club.
Bonucci wasn’t a regular in the league either, he only sat on the bench at the start of the season and was repeatedly absent from the field during the first half of the season. While Urs Fischer took the defender into account at times, the Italian was only allowed to play a little more than 20 minutes under Fischer’s successor Nenad Bjelica.
This is exactly what could lead to the 36-year-old leaving early in the transfer period that is about to begin. According to “Bild” information, Bonucci really wants to go to the European Championships next year. However, he lacks the necessary playing time at Union. That’s why Bonucci plans a quick escape
And apparently there is already a club that wants to take on the defensive hero. As “Gazzetta dello Sport” and “Corriere dello Sport” unanimously report, AS Roma and coach José Mourinho have put out feelers for the former Turin player.
Bonucci from Union Berlin back home?
Accordingly, Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is said to have suggested to the central defender to go back home, where on the one hand he would be more in focus and on the other hand he could probably play more.
The EURO 2024 in Germany is supposed to be Bonucci’s big highlight at the end of his career. After the season (and ideally after the European Championships) the 37-year-old wants to hang up his football boots.
Bonucci’s contract with Union Berlin runs until the end of the season.