Arsenal have lost one of their most important players in this summer transfer window as captain Laurent Koscielny has left the club (h/t Arsenal official website) to join Bordeaux. The Gunners are looking to fill that massive gap quickly and have been linked with a move for Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani.
The Italian centre back will reportedly be allowed to leave the club this summer, and the Gunners have joined the likes of Wolves in trying to sign Rugani.
Alfredo Pedulla had earlier reported that Rugani and Arsenal had agreed on a contract, rumoured to be around €4m per year, and the English club have to now agree on a transfer fee with Juventus.
But latest reports from Tuttosport claim that the offer has been rejected and the Gunners have approached the Serie A champions with a second offer of a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the year for €30m (£27.6m).
Also read: LIVE- Latest Premier League Transfer News, and Completed Deals
Rugani, who has played the last four seasons for Juventus, will not get much game time at the Serie A club in the 2019-20 season following the signing of centre-backs Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt, who along with the experienced duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will be the four options for new manager Maurizio Sarri.
Perfect partner for Sokratis?
Rugani could be a very good signing for Arsenal as he is a player who will complement centre back Sokratis in the Gunners’ backline. The Italian is a player who is technically very good, sees the game a few steps ahead of the rest, while also having good composure.
The 25-year-old can also bring the ball out from the back as he is good with the ball at his feet while also being a good passer.
He would be a very good fit in Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s style of play. He could bring calmness to the Arsenal backline which has looked bereft of leadership and defensive stability. Rugani can build attacks from the back with his passing and move the ball around quickly to Arsenal’s deadly attackers.
Sokratis is an aggressive player with good tackling ability and he would work well alongside a calmer defender like Rugani. This is a deal that Arsenal should complete, and it is especially important for them to sign him following the departure of Koscielny.
