Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci nears shock move from Juventus to AC Milan

Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci is close to completing a transfer from Juventus to rival AC Milan that could signal a shift in the balance of power in Serie A.

MILAN (AP) – Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci is close to completing a transfer from Juventus to rival AC Milan that could signal a shift in the balance of power in Serie A.

When Bonucci arrived at Milan's offices Friday to sign the expected deal, his car was surrounded by Rossoneri fans.

Milan will reportedly pay a 40 million euro ($45 million) transfer fee to Juventus and sign Bonucci to a five-year contract worth up to 10 million euros ($11 million) per season, including bonuses.

Having helped Juventus to a record six straight Serie A titles, the 30-year-old Bonucci is considered Italy's top center back.

Leonardo Bonucci has just received this incredible reaction to arriving at Casa Milan to complete his transfer (via Goal's @SimoneGambino) pic.twitter.com/tQhGV8jONy

— GOAL (@goal) July 14, 2017

Milan is stepping up its bid to win a first Serie A title since 2011.

It recently signed Andre Silva from Porto, Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Franck Kessie and Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Fabio Borini (Sunderland) and Hakan Calhanoglu (Bayer Leverkusen).