Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Arturo Vidal, Daniele Rugani Rumours

The Spanish press refuses to give up on the transfer rumours linking Juventus star Arturo Vidal with Arsenal, as Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson) claims the Gunners will “try until the last minute” to sign the midfielder this summer.

Vidal has been talked about as a potential transfer target for the Gunners for months, ever since Argentine journalist Hernan Feler claimed a deal had been agreed back in May. Several fan accounts on Twitter ran with the story, selling Feler as the man who broke Alexis Sanchez's transfer as well, via Sport Witness:

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And what of Feler? Well, it's correct to say that in May he did say a deal was agreed and would be announced after the Copa America and that's where this all kicked off. That's why Arsenal fans are now being banged over the head with Vidal stories just like Manchester United fans were last summer. That Vidal's agent Fernando Felicevich followed Feler on Twitter was intriguing, we thought so too, but then it was pointed out he also followed other journalists such as Tancredi Palmeri. 

Those who want to believe Feler have claimed he was the first to announce Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal but then that hasn't been backed up, and from our memory it was the Chilean media leading the way on that one. 

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In the midst of all of that, neither Vidal nor Arsenal have actually confirmed there's even interest in a potential transfer, and per Sky Sports' Fabrizio Romano, the Chilean's agent has denied there have been talks.

But as we saw last year, that doesn't have to mean anything. Fans were bombarded by stories regarding Vidal and Manchester United, only for the midfielder to stay in Turin. Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell expects a similar outcome in 2015:

Vidal is a fantastic midfielder who showed he is back to his old self during the 2015 Copa America after needing some time to recover from knee surgery in 2014. He's a pivotal part of Juventus' starting XI, where he both adds some bite to the midfield areas and acts as a scoring threat advancing into the box.

Juventus have the depth in midfield to handle a sale, with Stefano Sturaro and Roberto Pereyra seemingly ready to step into the starting XI, and while the Bianconeri don't have to sell from a financial standpoint, the right offer could certainly see the Chile international leave the Italian champions.

But such an offer would have to be significant, to say the least, and it's hard to see why Vidal would pick Arsenal over a host of other clubs, and vice versa. The Gunners don't lack for depth in central midfield, and while Vidal would be an impact starter for Arsenal, Wenger usually only spends big on clear areas of need.

The Daily Mirror's Nooruddean Choudry believes he would make for an excellent signing, and there's no denying that, but the Gunners may be forced to spend too much on Vidal, limiting their chances of strengthening other key areas:

From Vidal's perspective, a reunion with compatriot Sanchez and a slight increase in wages are the only things Arsenal currently have to offer. The squad looks talented and promising but hasn't won a Premier League title in years―Vidal has lifted the last four Serie A trophies and played in the Champions League final with Juventus.

More money is a tantalising prospect, but with Real Madrid reportedly also interested―per La Tercera, via Football Italia for Eurosport―it would make more sense for the Chilean to move to the Spanish capital.

That is, if he even decides to leave Juventus. As of right now, an extended stay in Turin seems the most likely outcome. 

Juventus Reportedly Reject Offer for Daniele Rugani

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

More news from Turin, where Tuttosport (h/t Daily Star's Alex Wood) report the Bianconeri have turned down a £13 million offer for defender Daniele Rugani, with Napoli also interested.

The 20-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world and impressed greatly on loan at Empoli last season. He played every second of the Serie A campaign without running into a single booking, a remarkable achievement for a centre-back.

Rugani has already made his senior debut for Italy and starred at the under-21 European Championships, something Metro UK's Oli Price-Bates also noticed:

The youngster has the look of a future superstar, and it's easy to see why Arsenal would be interested in his services. Juventus have plenty of experienced veterans at the centre-back position, and the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Angelo Ogbonna could block his path to the starting XI.

Despite the competition, Rugani believes he's ready to make his mark with the Italian champions, as he told Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia): “I feel ready for Juventus, then of course they will be the ones to decide. The locker room will certainly be different to Empoli, but I am not afraid. I’m curious and hungry to see if I’m up to the level of those champions.”

There is no way Juventus will even consider selling Rugani at this point in time, unless the proposed fee is well above what anyone would normally pay for a young defender who's yet to make his senior debut for a top club. Rugani is as safe a prospect as you'll find, but the centre-back will be untouchable during the 2015 summer transfer window.

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