AC Milan agrees stunning €42M deal to sign Bonucci

The unthinkable has happened.

AC Milan has agreed to sign standout defender Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus for €42 million, the two clubs announced Friday.

Following the completion of his medical evaluations, Bonucci will sign a five-year contract with Milan reportedly worth €6.5 million per season.

He's also expected to replace Riccardo Montolivo as the club's new captain.

Milan has now invested nearly €200 million in new players.

Bonucci is Milan's ninth official signing of a revolutionary summer, and certainly the most stunning development. Credible reports of the club's interest only emerged Thursday, and even then, supporters of both sides dismissed the possibility of a controversial switch.

But negotiations moved at a whirlwind pace, and by Friday morning, Bonucci arrived in Milan to greet euphoric fans and tour his club's new headquarters.

Related - Watch: Bonucci arrives in Milan to finalise sensational transfer

During his seven years with the Old Lady, Bonucci helped the Bianconeri return to the summit of Serie A and formed a fabulous defensive partnership with Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.

However, something happened over the 2016-17 campaign that drove a wedge between the club and player.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri dropped Bonucci in February after the two exchanged insults during a fixture against Palermo. Bonucci was also at the centre of a shouting match at half-time of the Champions League final, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Whatever the reason, Milan CEO Marco Fassone and sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli saw an opportunity to sign a world-class centre-back - and took it.

On a cash-rich mission to overhaul a squad that finished last season in sixth place, the two executives convinced Bonucci of Milan's new project.

The Italian international will meet fellow recruits Mateo Musacchio, Franck Kessie, Ricardo Rodriguez, Andre Silva, Fabio Borini, Hakan Calhanoglu, Andrea Conti, and Antonio Donnarumma at the San Siro.

A deal to sign Argentinian midfielder Lucas Biglia from Lazio is also in place.

Barring any setbacks, Bonucci will travel to China for Milan's pre-season tour.

An accurate passer with a strong personality, Bonucci should provide necessary leadership to a young Milan squad. He gives manager Vincenzo Montella the option of using a back-three, and immediately thrusts the Rossoneri back into the Scudetto conversation.