Arsenal’s defensive depth, or lack of it, has been shown up at times this season when either Laurent Koscielny or Shkodran Mustafi have missed time for the Gunners, but they seem to be actively working to rectify it.
According to Calciomercato (h/t Sky Sports), Arsenal launched a £25m bid to sign Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani, but the Serie A giants have rejected the bid.
Rugani came through the ranks at Empoli where Juventus were quick to recognise his great potential.
Juventus took him in on loan for the 2012/13 season to join up with their Primavera squad so the coaches and staff can take a closer look at him over an extended period of time – and they liked what the saw.
After returning and impressing for Empoli for the next 18 months, Juventus came back in for the centre-back and signed him in a £4.25m deal in February 2015 which allowed him to spend the rest of the 2014/15 season with Empoli before joining up with the Juve first-team squad in the summer.
Capped twice by Italy, Rugani has worked hard to battle for a regular place in the team in a squad which features Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Mehdi Benatia – all of whom are excellent and experienced centre-backs at club and international level – and he’s tipped for a starring role in years to come.
Following Bonucci’s falling out with Massimiliano Allegri recently which resulted in him being dropped for their Champions League clash with Porto, the 29-year-old has been linked with a summer exit which would provide Rugani with an opportunity for an increased role in the side.
Regardless, Arsenal, if they’re serious about signing the 22-year-old, will need to considerably up their offer for one of the most promising young defenders in European football.
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