Juventus legend Leonardo Bonucci has revealed he was close to joining Manchester City in a deal worth £100million before opting to continue at Juventus instead.

Bonucci insists he doesn’t regret turning down Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Bonucci said as quoted by The Sun: “In 2016, Man City and I were close. They offered almost £100million to Juventus but together with the club we decided to continue.

“There were talks in 2017, too, after Juventus put me up for sale… in the end things had to go that way.

“Being managed by Guardiola would have been a great achievement because he would have improved me but I can’t complain because I won many trophies, individual awards and the Euros.

“I always let my heart dictate me, that’s why I stayed at Juventus.”

City instead welcomed John Stones in 2016 after having their approach for Bonucci rebuffed by the Old Lady.

And the Italian is only full of praise for the man who was signed in his place as he gushed about the abilities of Stones.

He said: “I struggle to find a deficiency in players like Stones, who have won what he did.

“He’s a leader, reads the game well, has rhythms and is intelligent.

“He’s a technical player and a nasty defender. At City, Guardiola saw a perfect role for him, to be more of a ball-playing defender. He makes mistakes but who doesn’t?

“He’s still young and has a lot of time to improve and keep winning.

“In the end, who decides if someone is the best in the world? The fans, but with all due respect, it’s got really whether they like you or not.

“Stones has done great things and I like him a lot. He’s one of the best in the world.”

36 year old Bonucci now plays for German side Union Berlin after leaving Juventus last summer.