Agent reveals how close Chelsea were to signing €50m Serie A defender

Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani had an offer to join Chelsea this summer, it has been revealed.

The Italian defender was outlined as a primary target by Maurizio Sarri upon his arrival in the Stamford Bridge hotseat, with the pair having worked together at Empoli, but the Blues failed to get a deal over the line.

Rugani’s agent, Davide Torchia, has revealed just how close the London outfit were to signing the 24-year-old, while dealing a blow to any future attempts to sign the player.

He told RMC Sport: “The contract expires in 2021. There was a very important request for negotiation from Chelsea.

“Juve had evaluated it and the player was never intent on leaving Juve. His goal was to win a place among the starting lineup.

“Juventus believed in the player and we will certainly face the renewal issue: there is no urgency but not too much to wait for it.”

Sarri wasn’t able to bring in a centre-back in the end, and has used Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz as his main partnership this season. Meanwhile, Rugani has made just one appearance this campaign, subsequently missing out on a place in Italy’s most recent international squad.

It was suggested earlier this month that Sarri will go back in for Rugani in January, although Torchia’s latest comments will seriously dent his hopes of landing the seven-time Italy international.

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