Chelsea Made 'Very Strong Push' for Juventus Defender Daniele Rugani, Says Agent

Chelsea made a "very strong push" to sign centre-back Daniele Rugani from Juventus over the summer, according to the defender's agent, Davide Torchia.

Manager Maurizio Sarri knows Rugani well from their time together at Empoli, but the Blues failed in their attempts to land the Italian, who did not want to leave, Torchia told RMC Sport (h/t Football Italia):

"Chelsea made a very strong push to negotiate, Juve evaluated it, but the player never asked to leave. His objective was to earn his place in the starting XI. Juve believed in the player, and we'll discuss it during the contract renewal talks. It expires in 2021, so there is no urgency, but we cannot wait too long either."

Rugani only made 26 appearances for Juventus last season, but he will have been hoping for more game time with Giorgio Chiellini having turned 34 and Andrea Barzagli now 37. 

However, the return of Leonardo Bonucci from AC Milan has seen him once again on the sidelines. The defender has made just one start in Serie A, and talks over a new contract at the club have stalled, per Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia).

Football writer Adam Digby offered another explanation as to his lack of game time:

Chelsea are hardly lacking for defensive options. Sarri has David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill available.

However, football commentator Matteo Bonetti explained why he might want Rugani:

The Chelsea boss could try to sign Rugani again when the transfer window reopens in January, per Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia).

The Blues may need to strengthen their defence in the winter. Cahill has said he could leave in January:

Christensen has also become frustrated with life on the Chelsea bench, per Vaishali Bhardwaj at the Evening Standard: 

Rugani's lack of game time and failure to secure a new Juventus deal could tempt Chelsea into a new approach, but it remains to be seen whether the Italian champions will let him leave.