Chelsea target Daniele Rugani sees new contract talks with Juventus stall as Italy defender falls down pecking order at Serie A leaders
- Daniele Rugani’s contract talks with Juventus have stalled after a month
- The Italy defender, 24, is contract to the Turin club until the summer of 2021
- He was wanted by Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri over the summer
- Rugani has since fallen down the defensive pecking order at Juventus
Chelsea could yet sign Daniele Rugani after his contract talks with Juventus stalled.
The 24-year-old Italy international centre-half was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge following Maurizio Sarri’s appointment as manager.
The pair worked together at Empoli but Rugani turned down the offer to stay with the Italian champions.
Juventus defender Daniele Rugani (right) has seen contract talks with the club stall
The Italy international has played just once in Serie A this season – against Frosinone (pictured)
However, the unexpected return of Leonardo Bonucci from AC Milan has restricted Rugani’s game time this season and he has played just once in Serie A.
And according to Calcio Mercato, a month’s negotiations over a contract extension have failed to make any headway.
Rugani’s contract with Juventus runs until the summer of 2021 but the uncertainty could tempt Sarri to make another bid as he tries to replace Gary Cahill.
Rugani is now only behind Bonucci in the Juventus defensive pecking order but also Giorgio Chiellini, Medhi Benatia and Andrea Barzagli.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri wanted to sign Rugani last summer but the bid was rejected
Juventus have started the Serie A season with seven wins from seven and already have a six-point advantage over Napoli, meaning it is unlikely Massimiliano Allegri will alter things at the back anytime soon.
They also made it two wins from two in the Champions League by defeating Young Boys 3-0 on Tuesday night, with back-to-back matches against Manchester United to come.
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