Arsenal Transfer News: Daniele Rugani Scouted, Latest Dani Ceballos Rumours

Arsenal may look to bolster their defence with Juventus starlet Daniele Rugani, with reports claiming the London club have scouts keeping tabs on the Italian.

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro), the Gunners had representatives in attendance as Italy’s under-21 team went up against Slovenia on Tuesday. The 21-year-old was impressive in a loan spell with Empoli last season, playing every minute of the campaign, per Sanderson’s piece.

Here’s a look at why he’s rated so highly:

Eurosport, per Sanderson, claim that he could be allowed to leave the Bianconeri on loan during the midseason window given the quality options Juventus are in possession of at the back. But you suspect a team like Arsenal would much rather bring in the youngster on a permanent deal.

Still, it’s difficult to see a scenario in which Juve would be willing to let Rugani leave for good. After all, as noted by Italian football expert Matteo Bonetti, the centre-back has all the talent to go to the very top of the game:

The Gunners could probably do with some defensive reinforcements. While Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are a fine pair, should one get injured, question marks remain over whether or not Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista are good enough to step in. Rugani certainly possesses all the qualities required to do that kind of job.

Christian Hofer/Getty Images

Indomitable in the air, quality on the ball and already superb in his understanding of the game, Rugani will have been earmarked as a player who could potentially marshal the Italy and Juventus back line for years to come. With that in mind, Arsenal look to have little chance of bringing him to the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea to Rival Arsenal and Liverpool for Dani Ceballos

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

English champions Chelsea are the latest team to make their interest known in Real Betis midfield star Dani Ceballos. 

According to Estadio Deportivo (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro), the Blues have “knocked at the door” for the teenager, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool in the past. Ceballos has reportedly been on Chelsea’s radar for the past year and Sanderson suggests the Blues are “very keen” on taking him to Stamford Bridge.

Here’s a look at why Ceballos has so many illustrious names reportedly chasing his signature:

There’s a reason the Spanish youngster has been hailed as “the next Cesc Fabregas,” per the Independent. As you’d expect from a La Rojita player, Ceballos can manage games superbly with his sharp passing and technical talents. In addition, he’s an adaptable player too, capable of operating on the flanks or as a second striker.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

After drafting in Fabregas from La Liga at such a young age, the Gunners may be tempted to do the same with Ceballos. But at the moment, Chelsea and Liverpool seem as though they’d be better places for the youngster to develop and get some first-team football.

That’s because Arsenal already have an excess of cultured midfield men. If Ceballos was a winger or a holding player then he’d have much more of a chance at getting in the team. But at the moment, he’d bring little new to the table for the Londoners, meaning he should stay at Betis or go elsewhere for the sake of his own development.