Juve brush off Bonucci bid

ByEurosport

Updated 04/08/2011 at 17:02 GMT

Juventus have rejected an offer from Zenit St Petersburg for Italy centre-half Leonardo Bonucci.

Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci reacts during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Bologna at the Olympic stadium in Turin February 26, 2011

Image credit: Reuters

The 24-year-old defender was a fixture in Juventus' back four last season after joining from Bari in a 15.5m euro deal.

“It’s true that Zenit made an offer for him, but we are counting on him,” Juventus director general Beppe Marotta confirmed.

“Leonardo is young and last season was his first experience at a big club. We’ll continue with him in the new season.

04/08/2011 at 09:01

“We don’t want to satisfy the request of the Russian club.”

Marotta has confirmed that the club have identified their transfer targets, but will do their remaining transfer business quietly.

“We already know what we want, we just don’t want to divulge their names," Marotta added.

"You can’t sell the fur of a bear before you have it in your possession.

“We have certain needs, but we have to go about it in an ethical way by not overpaying for players.

03/08/2011 at 11:31

24/08/2011 at 13:37

23/08/2011 at 14:13

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