Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Daniele Rugani and Ezequiel Lavezzi Rumours

Arsenal have suffered setbacks in their bids to sign Daniele Rugani and Ezequiel Lavezzi this winter following claims the Gunners could be beaten to both signatures by Napoli and Barcelona, respectively.

Italian newspaper Il Mattino reported Napoli are interested in signing Rugani on loan in January after the youngster has become disillusioned with his first-team opportunities at Juventus (via talkSPORT).

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

The Old Lady first acquired the centre-back's full ownership rights back in 2013 but only now have Juve opted to keep the former Empoli starlet in their squad, where chances have been hard to come by.

Rugani's agent, David Torchia, recently spoke to Radio Crc, where he confirmed an exit is on the cards unless his client sees an improvement in his situation under Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri (h/t Football Italia):

"

We need to see if Rugani intends to leave Juventus, he’s not played much and Napoli need a defender. 

Daniele has always liked the club but that doesn’t mean there’s an ongoing negotiation. 

It’s undeniable that Rugani is sorry to have played so little at Juventus, he isn’t depressed but can’t wait to get his chance.

However, we’re bound by time, if we don’t see a radical change between now and December then we will see. 

Sarri has taught Rugani so much and it’s normal that the player has an eye on the Coach. 

Juventus don’t want to sell at the moment but in December we will have to analyse the situation.

"

The Gunners will be pleased to hear the 21-year-old could become available as they look to boost their back-line options beyond the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.

Rugani has played just two minutes this season in what's been a sharp fall from his success with Empoli, but it isn't for lack of trying, according to veteran Andrea Barzagli (h/t Bleacher Report's Adam Digby):

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may hope the promise of a permanent switch will tempt Juve into a sale, but a lot will depend on Rugani's preference and whether he sees a future for himself in Turin.

The north Londoners would be getting their hands on one of Italy's most promising assets if they were to complete a deal, with the youngster having already featured heavily for the nation's under-21s.

Meanwhile, Barcelona could offer the Premier League outfit major competition in the hunt for Lavezzi, too, after the Paris Saint-Germain attacker told friends he wants to move to the Camp Nou.

That's according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, with Lavezzi allegedly informing compatriots Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano he wishes to join them in Catalonia (via Daily Star's Luke Gardener).

Thibault Camus/Associated Press

It's an ambitious move for the Argentina international considering he's managed to make just two starts in his 13 appearances for PSG this season, and the competition would only increase at the Camp Nou.

Lavezzi's contract in Paris expires at the end of this season, and Gianluca Di Marzio translator David Amoyal attested to the 30-year-old being a valuable signing if he were to arrive on a free:

Arsenal would certainly be more readily able to offer the former Napoli star playing time at the Emirates, especially after Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recently joined the club's injury list.

Wenger has already had to cope without the services of Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere this season.

Entering the last six months of his deal, Lavezzi would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement this January in advance of making a move next summer, but Arsenal are in need of more immediate reinforcements.

The club's usual method of penny pinching suggests they may not pay for a player who will turn 31 before season's end, and the deal could be complicated further in the off-chance Barca choose to recruit the ageing Lavezzi.