Daniele Rugani, the 23-year-old Italian centre-back has been linked with a move to England. The two giant clubs of Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked with a move for the promising centre back.
He is currently playing a bench role at Juventus owing to the impressive performances of Medhi Benatia. Reports are claiming that the Italian is interested in a move away from Juventus and is looking at the interest being given by the English clubs.
He is reportedly going to cost around £35 million if he does move. However, if reports are to be believed, Juventus has a strict stance on their highly-rated defender and is in no mood to part ways with the Empoli youth product.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners have recently shifted to a 3-back formation which means the Gunners are definitely short on cover at that position. Currently, the Gunners have Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Per Mertesacker vying for 3 centre-back positions. With Chambers having failed to impress so far, and Mustafi and Koscielny suffering frequent injuries so far this season, Arsenal will want to bring in a replacement who can play as a squad rotation player.
Rugani can easily fit into the 3 man back line and can play anywhere across the back three in that defence. Although Wenger is unlikely to keep him shifting from one place to another, he will give Wenger a great relief given the hectic schedule in England.
As for Rugani, the move may well present an opportunity to play in the world’s most followed league and after his time at Italy, the Italian might want to consider the opportunity of a fresh challenge in a foreign country. At Juventus, given the presence of such world-class defenders, he is finding it tough to become a first team star.
However, with both Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli well over thirty and ageing fast, Rugani’s time might just be around the corner. He has already made 13 appearances this season, not bad for a backup player given the quality of defence at Juventus. However, the tempt of England will remain an option and if he does move it might just be the defensive signing the Gunners will need to have enough quality cover in defence.
Rugani it seems has a tough choice to make given the fact that no defender would like to part ways with a club who is well renowned all across Europe for their defensive prowess but the prospect of playing in the world’s most followed league might just tempt him to move.
