Arsenal Transfer News: Daniele Rugani Rumours, Arsene Wenger Comments on January

Arsenal are preparing to beat Manchester United to the signing of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, with the Gunners ready to bid £35.4 million for the Italy international.

According to Italian outlet Il Posticipo (h/t Gary Stonehouse of The Sun), the Premier League giants both want the centre-back, but Arsenal are ready to trigger a move for the 23-year-old in January. Rugani has struggled to maintain a starting place with the Serie A champions and is reportedly ready to move to a new club.

The player emerged as one of Europe's top young defenders after joining the Old Lady in 2013, and he impressed on loan during a two-year spell at Empoli.

Rugani is a cultured centre-back, and he would give Gunners boss Arsene Wenger increased control from the back as they play the ball on the deck.

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The defender has played 12 times in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this season, but Medhi Benatia has staked his claim as first choice in Turin.

The Moroccan's form has led to Rugani's demotion to the bench, making a potential switch to Arsenal more appealing.

Wenger has watched as countless incarnations of his defence have failed, leading to an exit from Champions League football after ending last term in fifth place in England.

The recruitment of Rugani could give Arsenal the foundations they crave in order to build their next team, and a top-four finish will be a serious challenge for the current starting lineup from the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Italian is young and isn't the finished article, making his capture a risky procedure if Wenger requires immediate results.

Here is the player in action:

In other Gunners news, Wenger has spoken out about his chances of acquiring targets in the January transfer window, declaring there is a 90 per cent chance he will not bring in new faces.

Alec Shilton of The Sun reported the Frenchman believes he will retain the same squad for the second half of the campaign after missing out on Monaco's Thomas Lemar during the summer.

Wenger said:

"You do not imagine that we will change 10 players in January.

"It's 90 per cent that it's the same squad.

"If we can find some additions to strengthen our squad we will do it. But we have a big squad, I think we have players of quality."

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The manager's comments will disappoint supporters of the club, with fans at the Emirates forced to watch a side who are neither in transition or repair.

Arsenal desperately need to bring in several faces to revamp, but Wenger has continued to keep faith in his selection each year.

His belief in his squad was not justified last season, with Alexis Sanchez's goals dragging the team to a respectable level—and the time has now come for fundamental change.

If Wenger gets it wrong in the next transfer window, he might pay for his mistakes with his job and reputation.