Arsenal have been linked with Daniele Rugani since 2015, so what’s going on?

Daniele Rugani
Daniele Rugani

Arsenal have inquired about a two-year loan for the player but, at the time of writing, Juventus have turned them down as they want to keep him with their own squad. Arsenal’s interest in the player, however, stems back further than this summer.

In fact, we first bid for him back in 2016 after Wenger put his scouts on the job in 2015.

Speaking to the media in April, 2015, Rugani said, “It’s gratifying to know that Wenger is interested in me, but I’m glad that Juve has redeemed me.”

Arsenal were even interested when he was just 20 and still with Empoli.

Daniele Rugani
Daniele Rugani

Age: 24
Position: Centre-Back
Contract until: 2023
Club: Juventus
Estimated transfer value: £19.8m

Arsenal were then ‘seriously monitoring’ the availability of Juventus’ Daniele Rugani, according to reports in the English media ahead of the January window.

Express Sport wrote that Arsenal were following the centre-back closely, though Chelsea were favourites to move for the 24-year-old. Various reports suggested Rugani would cost between €35m (£31m) and €50m (£44m).

In the end, he extended his contract with Juve for another two years.

Rugani had a contract with Juventus until 2021 at the time Arsenal were linked in January, and, as we said at the time, in the past he’s chosen to commit his future to the club rather than push for a move.

His agent admitted last summer that he’d previously held talks with Arsenal over a transfer, but at the time he insisted the defender was happy with Juventus. It seems he wasn’t lying.

However, signs suggest that’s starting to change and this could be his last contract with the Old Lady.

Rugani really struggled to get into the Juventus team in the first half of last season, only making six appearances in all competitions (five starts). He was also tagged in an Instagram post by girlfriend Michela Persico with the two of them learning English which set many tongues wagging.

With a couple of years left on his contract and seemingly no place in Juventus’ first choice team, January looked to be the perfect time for Rugani to move on.

He didn’t however and it looks as if he could stay put this summer as well, unfortunately for Arsenal.