Juventus confirm Bonucci return with Higuain and Caldara joining AC Milan

Juventus have confirmed they have re-signed Leonardo Bonucci from AC Milan in a bonkers transfer that sees Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara move in the opposite direction.

Bonucci only left Juventus to join Milan 12 months ago but has secured a return to the Old Lady after an underwhelming year with their Serie A giants.

Juventus have remarkably accepted Bonucci with open arms and even sacrificed Caldara in the deal even though the Italy international was earmarked as his long-term successor.

The 24-year-old linked up with Juventus this summer with a view to forcing his way into the first-team reckoning for the upcoming campaign but has instead completed a €35m (£31.2m) move to Milan.

Caldara has also been joined by Juventus team-mate Higuain in making the switch to the Rossoneri, but the Argentina international has transferred on an initial season-long loan deal.

Milan have agreed to pay a stunning €18m (£16m) loan fee for the 30-year-old and have an option to make the switch permanent for a further €36m (£32m).

Chelsea were desperate to reunite Higuain with Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge this summer but have lost out to Milan, who could end up paying £48m in total for the striker.

Juventus’ short-termism in re-signing Bonucci has raised serious eyebrows, considering the veteran defender turned 31 this summer.

Max Allegri’s side have agreed to pay €35m to re-sign their former defender on a five-year contract, meaning they stand to make a profit of €54m (£48m) if Milan trigger their right to Higuain on a full-time basis.

In the last three Serie A campaigns, Higuain has scored at least seven more goals than any other player (76), though Juventus will hope his departure is barely noticeable having signed Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the summer.