Arsenal Transfer News: Chuba Akpom Exit Rumours, Daniele Rugani Reportedly Eyed

Rumours of a potential Chuba Akpom exit are intensifying, with the latest reports indicating the talented youngster is yet to put pen to paper on a new Arsenal contract amid plenty of interest from foreign clubs.

According to the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, the Gunners have offered the 19-year-old a three-year deal which he is yet to sign, with Borussia Dortmund, FC Twente and Feyenoord all having made pre-contract offers in January.

Akpom is seen as one of Arsenal's most talented youngsters and a vital part of the club's future, but a lack of chances in the senior squad and little change on the horizon could lead to him continuing his career elsewhere, according to Wilson:

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Wenger wants Akpom to stay – and has told him that he is in his first-team plans after a prolific two years in the academy and reserve teams – but it will clearly be difficult to dislodge Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck or Alexis Sanchez as the main central striker in the usual 4-2-3-1 system.

At 19, Akpom now wants regular first-team football and will not be loaned out this month after Yaya Sanogo, Joel Campbell and Lukas Podolski were all permitted to leave this January.

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The powerful forward, who is an England U20 international, was brought on as a substitute against Brighton Hove & Albion, and the Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke thought it was a smart decision from manager Arsene Wenger:

The case of Akpom is a difficult one. Wenger and Arsenal clearly want the youngster to stay at the Emirates, and given his tantalising potential, the idea of him leaving the club on a free transfer is a particularly painful one.

He's been a part of the team's youth setup for most of his life, and he must have been dreaming of the opportunity to shine for the senior squad for years. But at the same time, Joel Campbell's frustrating 2014-15 campaign saw the highly touted youngster receive little to no chances—Akpom likely fears a similar fate is in store for him should he stay.

Wenger believes the teenager is ready to contribute now, however, as shared by AFCPressWatch, and perhaps that could lead to Akpom staying with the club:

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AW: “I believe Chuba Akpom is ready to play now. He’s a goalscorer with power. Atm, he’s a bit behind in the pecking order.” #afc #Arsenal

— AFCPressWatch™ (@AFCPressWatch) January 23, 2015"

The fact he's yet to sign a new deal is worrying, and fans won't feel at ease until he does. But if he continues to receive chances, like the one he got against Brighton, an extended stay with Arsenal seems the most likely scenario.

The Gunners may be on the verge of sealing a deal for Villarreal's Gabriel Paulista, via ITV.com, but according to reports from Italy, Wenger has his eyes set on even more defensive reinforcements in the form of supertalent Daniele Rugani.

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The 20-year-old centre-back is co-owned by Empoli and Juventus, and Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla (h/t Football Italia) reports Arsenal have been following him for a while and are preparing a move.

Rugani may not be a big name outside of Italy just yet, but the Italy international is widely regarded as the next great Italian defender by pundits and expert on the peninsula. ESPN FC's Mina Rzouki profiled the exceptional defender a while back, as shared by Messi Minutes:

Despite playing for lowly Empoli, he made his full Italy debut earlier this season, and he has been consistently great in Serie A in 2014-15. Already an accomplished defender, his incredibly high potential makes him an interesting transfer target for a club that seemingly never has enough defenders.

The fact he's co-owned by Juventus is a major obstacle to any transfer, however. The Bianconeri need to find a replacement for the ageing Andrea Barzagli and have been very careful in their development of Rugani, knowing full well what a quality player he appears set to become.

The chances of the Italian champions agreeing to sell their stake in the player is minimal, according to FourFourTwo's Adam Digby:

Rugani is a likely candidate to return to Turin in the summer to become the first centre-back off the bench for Juventus, and given his high level of play at the young age of 20, there's a good chance he'll be starting for one of Europe's top defensive teams before long.

A deal for such a talented player would be excellent business for the Gunners, but don't expect the Bianconeri to cooperate in any way.

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