Arsenal suffer blow in pursuit of top centre-back target

Juventus have rebuffed Arsenal’s approach for centre-back Daniele Rugani, The Sun reports.

The Gunners were reportedly keen on another loan deal that would protect their modest budget this summer having already signed Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid on a temporary basis and delayed payments on the signings of William Saliba and Nicolas Pepe.

The Londoners are believed to have enquired about a potential two-year loan deal for the Italy international but the Serie A champions seemingly have no interest in such an agreement.

Unai Emery is desperate to add defensive reinforcements to his ranks this summer, with Laurent Koscielny expected to leave and Krystian Bielik recently allowed to join Derby County.

Rugani was a top target for the club but new Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri is a fan of the 25-year-old having worked with him some five years ago whilst in charge of Empoli.

The defender started every single league game of that 2014/15 campaign, which was his first in top-flight football having helped the club to promotion from Serie B in what was a two-year-loan deal which began in 2013.

He will no doubt have been delighted with the appointment of former coach Sarri then, having been in and out of the team at Juventus since returning to Turin, starting 59 league matches over the last four seasons.