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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is rumoured to be interested in Italian international Leonardo Bonucci who he wishes to bring in to strengthen his White Hart Lane defence. The 23 year old Bari man is currently on World Cup duty in South Africa but is a target of a number of Italian outfits who have been impressed with his performances last season.

The powerfully built centre back had been on Inter Milan’s books for three years but only managed one appearance during a spell that involved talented youngster being farmed out on loan to a succession of clubs including Treviso and Pisa. Last summer he moved to Bari and helped the club to a very respectable 10th placed finish in their first season back in the top flight.

Redknapp is looking for defensive signings to help the club cope with constant injury worries relating to Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King. Bonucci is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £8m and could prove to be a very wise addition as he has gone from strength to strength in the past 18 months and is considered a hot prospect in Italian footballing circles.

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Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are set to go head to head for the services of up and coming Italian centre back Leonardo Bonucci. The 22 year old Bari centre back has been the subject of much interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs but Italian reports state that Arsenal and Man United are leading the chase to snap up the giant defender.

After failing to impress during his three years at Inter Milan, after arriving at the San Siro from minnows Viterbese, Bonucci was offloaded to lowly Bari where the youngster has gone from strength to strength this season helping the newly promoted side to mid table.

Having received his first international cap in February, having never been capped at any level for the Italian national team, the 6 foot 3 centre back looks likely to leave the Stadio San Nicola in order to fulfill his potential. Arsenal’s need for long term defensive options is arguably greater than Old Trafford’s given that Wenger has a raft of centre backs aged 30 and above.

Bari are unlikely to allow Bonucci to leave without getting a decent price for their prized asset and a valuation of around £10m has apparently been placed on the promising talent’s head.

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Arsène Wenger of Arsenal, the prestigious London club has an on his eye on two jewels of the defense of Bari: Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Ranocchia.

“At San Siro Arsenal scouts were present to watch Bari hold AC Milan to a goalless draw” (Corriere del mezzogiorno)

The young Italian centre back pairing of Bonucci and Ranocchia has been very effective this season, conceding just four goals in the first seven Serie A games of this season. This defensive stat is all the more impressive when you consider the minnows have already come up against Inter and AC Milan.

At 21 and 22 respectively both are good quality prospects with Ranocchia currently on loan to Bari from Genoa, being the more accomplished of the two. Whilst I have been pleased with the combination of Gallas and Vermaelen I long for the stability we had with the likes of Adams & Bould or indeed Adams & Keown and perhaps this pair could provide that in years to come. In many ways Belgian Vermaelen could be better served in the centre of midfield.

Arsene Wenger may feel the club needs more in the way of defensive talent to call upon in the longer term and the Gunners have been linked with many young centre backs in recent months and It is no surprise that Arsenal are sending their scouts to report on the likes of this upcoming £12m rated Italian pair.

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