Wolves learn price of defensive target after seeing first bid rejected

Wolves have been told it will cost them £23million to complete the signing of Juventus centre back Daniele Rugani in the next transfer window after seeing their opening bid turned down.

According to a report on TuttoJuve, cited on HITC, the Premier League side submitted an £18million bid for the Italian but were told they will have to increase their offer if they hope to do a deal.

Nuno Espirito Santo is said to be looking to bring in a new defender with the future of Ryan Bennett, who was loaned to Leicester City in January, currently uncertain.

The Foxes have an option to make Bennett’s move permanent at the end of the season, meaning Wolves could be left with just three senior centre backs if Brendan Rodgers does opt to keep him at the King Power Stadium.

Conor Coady, Willy Boly and Romain Saiss are the club’s other options, however with Wolves using a ‘three at the back’ system Santo will be keen to bring in reinforcements.

And Rugani, who Wolves were also eyeing up last summer, seems to be still viewed as a player who would fit the bill, with the 25-year-old possibly on his way out of Juventus after failing to force his way into the Serie A giants’ starting line-up.

Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs de Ligt and Merih Demiral are all ahead of Rugani in the pecking order, meaning he spends much of his time on the bench.

In fact, he has made only three league appearances in the 2019/20 campaign and just 94 in total since joining Juve from Empoli almost five years ago.

 

 

Therefore, a move away from the Allianz Stadium could be tempting to the seven time Italian international if he hopes to secure regular playing time.

The chance to be a part of Santo’s project at Wolves, which has seen him take the Midlands side from the Championship to battling for a Champions League place in just three years, could also be a huge pull.

However, it has also been reported that Arsenal are considering making a move for Rugani as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his squad, so Wolves are likely to face competition for his signature.

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