Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci reveals Premier League temptation

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has admitted he was tempted by the possibility of moving to the Premier League in the summer.

Manchester City are understood to have approached Juventus for Bonucci in July, with manager Pep Guardiola a known admirer of the Italy international.

However, a transfer did not materialise and the Etihad outfit ended up signing John Stones from Everton for £47.5m ($63m) instead.

Chelsea were also reported to be interested in signing Bonucci in a £48m deal as a successor to John Terry.

"If I said that I wasn't tempted this summer by an offer from England, above all for the coach that wanted me, then that would be a lie," the 29-year-old was quoted as saying by Football Italia.

"But Juventus is my home and I am happy to have stayed. My dream was to win with this shirt and now I am here, ready to improve as a player and challenge myself to make this team legendary."

Champions League dream

Bonucci scored three goals in 36 league appearances to help Juventus win their fifth successive Serie A title last season.

He played every minute of Italy's Euro 2016 campaign and scored in the penalty shoot-out defeat against Germany in the quarter-finals.

The centre-back said he was motivated to help Juve reach their second Champions League final in three years after the Old Lady played out a goalless draw at home in their Group H opener against Sevilla on 14 September.

"It is our duty to reach the Champions League final, but we must treat it like living a dream to keep pressure out of our minds," he said.

"We know that all it takes is a single incident to change everything and we have to fight hard to make those incidents go away, unlike yesterday [against Sevilla]."

Juventus are top of Serie A after winning all three of their opening league fixtures and travel to the San Siro to face Inter Milan on 18 September.