According to a report from the Daily Mail, Newcastle United and West Ham are among the clubs showing an interest in out-of-favour Juventus defender Daniele Rugani – with the Italian having been offered to a number of Premier League clubs.
Indeed, Old Lady boss Andrea Pirlo is reportedly willing to sell Rugani to the highest bidder, with the club’s sporting director Fabio Paratici placing him on a list of players who will be sold off this summer.
The 26-year-old has been offered to top English sides, including Tottenham, along with five other star names in Frederico Bernardeschi, Douglas Costa, Alex Sandro, Sami Khedira and Mattia De Sciglio (Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness).
Now, as per the Mail, both the Magpies and West Ham have taken an interest in Rugani who appears to be set for the exit door – with his current market value being around £10.8 million (Transfermarkt).
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As Steve Bruce scours the market for an able defender who can help to shore up Newcastle’s back line, Rugani could be a notable option given his impressive stats over a limited number of Serie A appearances last season.
Averaging a 92% pass accuracy out from the back over 2019/2020, the 6ft 3 colossus could exemplify a cool head, with ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri lauding his countryman as also having ‘outstanding‘ desire – an aspect of Rugani’s game that Magpies supporters would debatably adore.
However, with Newcastle allegedly preferring loan deals, it is unclear whether Juve will listen to offers of that nature – but perhaps a season-long loan with an option-to-buy could be negotiable.
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Bearing all this in mind, it’s clear that Bruce could strike Magpies gold in a swoop for Rugani.
Newcastle fans, will your club sign a new defender this summer? Have your say in the comments below…
