Chelsea are prepared to meet Juventus’s £45million asking price for centre-back Daniele Rugani, according to Goal.
The Blues made an offer of £36million for the 23-year-old earlier this month, with the Italian champions looking for another £10million or so for the defender.
It now appears that Maurizio Sarri is willing to meet that price to bring in a player he worked with during their time together at Empoli.
The report states that Chelsea are willing to offer Rugani a contract worth £4million a year, equivalent to almost £77,000 a week.
The Italian, who stands 6ft 3in tall, impressed greatly in his two years on loan under Sarri at Empoli, but since returning to Juventus he has been unable to truly insert himself as a first choice selection for the Old Lady.
Good move for Chelsea?
The Blues don’t want for centre-backs as it is, with David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma all are on the books at present. The switch to 4-3-3 that Sarri demonstrated in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Perth Glory on Monday would indicate that Cesar Azpilicueta will return to right-back for the upcoming season, meaning that the above five men will be fighting for two places in the team… and that’s without Rugani having joined. The Italian is a fine centre-back who Sarri clearly knows and trusts. If the new Blues boss has looked at his options and felt unconvinced then Rugani is a good choice to bring into the fold. But a necessary signing? We’re not sure.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
If this report is accurate then it appears that all systems are go on this one. Chelsea are willing to meet Juventus’s asking price, Sarri likes the player and the player likes Sarri. Seems pretty watertight, no?
This is Futbol rating: 8/10