Arsenal FC have reportedly seen a bid worth €30 million for Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani rejected.

According to Football Italia, Juventus have turned down a staggering €30 million offer made by Arsenal for their defender Daniele Rugani. The 20-year old has struggled for game time in Turin due to the successful defensive trio of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Georgio Chiellini, and has been offered an escape route by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

If the Frenchman can convince the Italian outfit to cash-in on the player, the defender would be a promising capture for the Gunners. Rugani is good in the air and can be a threat in the opposition box as well due to his superior aerial prowess. He is also a tidy passer of the ball, and could fit well into a side that likes to build from the back. Given Arsenal’s inconsistent first choice pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, the Italian defender would also prove to be an upgrade on the current under-performing duo.

TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 11: Daniele Rugani (L) of Juventus FC ris tackled by Davide Biondini of US Sassuolo Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Juventus Arena on March 11, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Daniele Rugani (L) of Juventus FC is tackled by Davide Biondini of US Sassuolo Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Juventus Arena on March 11, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

A move to London would make equal sense for the defender as well as Arsenal. Due to Massimilliano Allegri’s faith in his three centre-halves, Rugani managed to tally only 17 Serie A appearances (via WhoScored) in the 2015/16 campaign. In the matches played, the 21-year old averaged 2.8 clearances and 1.7 tackles per game. He also won back possession 1.4 times per game, and managed to maintain an impressive pass accuracy per cent of  88.9.

If he does sign for the Gunners, he would give Arsene Wenger an option for the future as well. With Calum Chambers already among the ranks at the Emirates, Rugani could form a memorable pairing alongside the Englishman at the heart of the Arsenal defence. The current Juventus centre-back would give Wenger a more pacy, agile and younger version of Mertesacker. Rugani, at the nascent age of 21, is yet to hit his peak, and could prove to justify his asking fee of €30 million.

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