Arsenal Transfer News: Daniele Rugani 'Off the Market,' Latest Nolito Rumours

Arsenal have seen their hopes of landing Juventus defender Daniele Rugani dashed after the Empoli president said the defender won't be sold, but Barcelona's limited spending ability could open a move for Celta Vigo's Nolito.

Speaking to Sky Sport, Fabrizio Corsi insisted Empoli's former disciple won't be moving in the winter transfer window after his team sold their remaining share of his rights in February 2015, per Juve's official website (via Gianluca Di Marzio translator David Amoyal):

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We can't afford to sell the two/three important players we have in January, giving up one of them would also take away from our confidence. If we avoid relegation we'll do so at the last match, there is a lot of balance. Rugani? He's a player that is improving, he has the national team defenders in front of him (at Juventus). He needs to gain experience and he's working on it, but he's certainly off the market. He needs to have some patience.

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It's been a fierce struggle for Rugani to assert himself under manager Massimiliano Allegri since making the permanent move to Turin last summer, playing just two minutes for Juve this season.

However, the 21-year-old was a hit at boyhood club Empoli and has featured heavily for Italy's under-21s since making his debut last year, appearing 13 times for the Azzurrini.

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Arsenal purchased centre-back Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal in January of this year but are understood to be seeking further reinforcements behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Despite a surprising lack of playing time this season, Rugani continues to earn reviews as a good player, with FourFourTwo's Adam Digby among those who can vouch for his quality:

Rugani has an assortment of seasoned stars in front of him at Juventus, including established Italy internationals Andrea Barzagli, 34, Giorgio Chiellini, 31, and Leonardo Bonucci, 28.

It's possible the much younger Rugani will see more first-team chances in Turin as the season progresses, but questions are sure to be asked regarding his prominence if the player doesn't see an upturn in involvement soon.

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Celta star Nolito has no such concerns after dazzling as one of his club's most impressive stars once again this season, and the Gunners could see their hopes of competing for his signature buoyed.

That's due to Barcelona reportedly being unable to meet his €18 million (£13 million) release clause this January, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana).

The Catalan outfit are attempting to reduce their debt, and although the Blaugrana's transfer embargo expires on January 1, it's reported the club will instead attempt to loan the forward with an option to buy.

Nolito has hinted at his preference for a move being Barcelona, considering he worked with manager Luis Enrique at Barcelona B and again at Celta, calling the coach one of his "sporting fathers," per Sportium (h/t Daily Star's Chisanga Malata):

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Luis Enrique taught me a great deal during the four years I was there. The good and the bad sides of football. 

He was always upfront with me, he is one of my sporting fathers. 

He made me realise in Barca B that I could earn my living in this profession. 

He insisted I lose weight and take care of myself. His advice was very important to advance in my career.

"

During the summer, the 29-year-old proclaimed the Camp Nou would be his only destination if he were to leave his current setting, per Goal's Joe Wright, outlining "I go to Barcelona or I stay at Celta."

According to Spanish football writer Rafael Hernandez, Celta have already shown how highly they value the winger by making him their best-paid player:

It's not often the Gunners may be able to directly contest Barcelona in a spending battle, but manager Arsene Wenger may be eager to press ahead in Nolito's pursuit as he looks for attacking recruits.

Striker Danny Welbeck has been absent from selection this season due to injury, while Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also sidelined. Fatigue is setting into the squad, and Bleacher Report's Dean Jones reported Alexis Sanchez will soon be rested in a bid to manage his fitness:

From that, one can assume more options are needed at the Emirates Stadium, and while Nolito would make for a potentially low-cost solution, the question is whether he wants to move to north London.

The alternative is to wait for a Barca transfer to materialise at a later date, but with no assurances over that possibility, Arsenal may be capable of convincing the attacker to jump ship sooner rather than later.