- Arsenal and Manchester United were recently linked with Daniele Rugani
- His agent insists, however, that Juventus don’t want to let him go
- Arsene Wenger admits he could’ve done with defensive signings this January
- READ MORE: Arsenal linked with Liverpool target as ideal solution to key problem area
Arsenal and Manchester United have been given a clear message from the agent of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani – that his client is not going anywhere.
Il Posticipo claimed both clubs were ready to bid around £35million for Rugani prior to the January transfer window, though a move never came off.
Arsenal in particular could have done with bringing someone in at the back this winter, with Arsene Wenger admitting as much in his press conference today.
‘Our defensive numbers aren’t good enough,’ Wenger is quoted in the Metro. ‘We needed strengthening because we have to improve our defensive numbers to make the top four.
This followed links with West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans via the Sun, but it may be that some effort was made with Rugani as well.
His agent Davide Torchia insists Rugani is too important for Juve to sell, but seemed to suggest there have been offers for him in the past that his club have rejected.
‘He is a strong boy. Juventus have never considered any offers for him,’ Torchia told Italian radio, as quoted by Calciomercato, who also mention Rugani as being a target for Arsenal.
‘They know they have a diamond in their side. Rugani, at the age of 23, is in the Italian national side and also contributes to Juventus’ victories.’
It seems Arsenal and United will have to look elsewhere to bring in new defensive signings, despite Rugani not always being a regular starter in Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
The 23-year-old looks as though he could have been a fine fit in the Premier League, but that seems off the cards at least for the time being.
Arsenal and United were both busy this January, with the Gunners bringing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while the Red Devils raided their rivals for Alexis Sanchez in one of the most talked about deals of the whole season.