Monaco keeping tabs on Juventus defender Bonucc

The Stade Louis II outfit are keen to strengthen their back four and have added the Biaconeri centre-back to their shortlist of summer transfer targets

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Leonardo Bonucci has attracted the interest of Monaco with his fine performances for Juventus this season.

Les Rouge et Blanc are keen to add to their ranks in order to boost their bid to dethrone Paris Saint-Germain as Ligue 1 champions, having previously already bringing in high-profile names such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.

Monaco have identified their defence as the area that most needs strengthening, despite conceding only 11 goals in 14 games so far this season.

The French view the 26-year-old Bonucci as a player who could help them move to the next level and sent a scout to Juventus' Champions League win over Copenhagen on Wednesday to have a closer look at the Italy international.

Monaco have yet to cement their interest in the centre-back, but they intend to keep monitoring him for the remainder of the season before eventually tabling an official offer during the summer.

Bonucci joined Juventus from Bari in the summer of 2010 and has since developed into a key player in Turin, making over 100 official appearances for the Bianconeri to date.

The defender's current contract with the Italian champions runs until June 2017.