Jose Mourinho Explains Why AS Roma Withdrew From Signing Bonucci

• AS Roma have reportedly ended their interest in Leonardo Bonucci
• The club are looking to bolster their defence in the winter window
• Jose Mourinho has suggested why the club cooled interest in Bonucci

AS Roma have reportedly ended their interest in former Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, and Jose Mourinho appears to suggest why the club took the decision.

Roma are keen to add an experienced defender to their side, with Chris Smalling failing to recover from an injury he suffered at the end of last season.

Young defender Marash Kumbula is also recuperating from an ACL injury and is unlikely to be involved again this season, facilitating the need for an experienced centre-half.

Bonucci was at the top of the list, and talks took place in the past weeks, but Sky Italia reported yesterday that the Italian capital club have withdrawn from discussions.

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Mourinho explains why Roma snubbed Bonucci

Roma boss Jose Mourinho, while previewing the crucial tie away to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, appears to suggest why the club stopped in their pursuit of the veteran defender.

“As for Bonucci, I don’t feel comfortable. I think he must be respected and the way to do it is to not talk about a player under contract with Union Berlin. I see no reason to talk about Bonucci,” he said via Football Italia.

“When you do something that the fans really like, you are fuelling that passion and that love. When you do something they don’t like, I think it shouldn’t be done and I can’t say more than this.”

The 36-year-old is under contract with German club Union Berlin but could leave if an offer arrives just six months after moving to the club after leaving Juventus for the second time.

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Multiple reports in the French and Italian media have also suggested Renato Sanches’ loan will be cut short, but the Special One claimed he has no information.

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Roma to part ways with 5 players

Sports Brief also previously reported on five players set to exit Roma at the end of the season as the club seeks to consolidate and ease some of its financial burdens.

With the future of Mourinho also under scrutiny, the capital city giants are planning to send all loaned players to their parent clubs and offload anyone underperforming.