Arsenal agree terms with Sh4 billion rated Juventus defender

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani [Courtesy]

Arsenal have agreed terms with Juventus defender Daniele Rugani according to claims in Italy, but the Gunners will face a race against time to bring in the 25-year-old before Thursday's transfer deadline.

The Italian international have emerged as one of the leading candidates for the Gunners' troublesome centre-back position, with Laurent Koscielny completing his acrimonious move to Bordeaux on Tuesday and questions over the long-term future and ability of the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers.

RB Leipzig's France under-21 defender Dayot Upamecano has emerged as another target for Unai Emery, but the 20-year-old will be harder to obtain than Rugani, and certainly more expensive at around £55million.

It was reported on Tuesday that the Gunners have had a bid for the young defender rejected, with Leipzig hoping for any deal to include the young attacker Emile Smith Rowe, who they had on loan last season.

Rugani will cost around £37million according to Sport Italia, but they claim that the fee can be paid at the end of a two-year loan spell.

The defender has fallen down the pecking order at Juventus following the summer arrival of Matthijs de Ligt and he is likely to struggle for game-time despite the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as manager.

Sarri had Rugani on loan at Empoli for two seasons before moving on to his successful spell at Napoli, but he is unlikely to have much room for the seven-times capped defender despite questions over the long-term future of veteran Giorgio Chiellini.

Emery is desperate to add a defender to the ranks at the Emirates before the English transfer window closes on Thursday evening, and that remains Arsenal's priority despite ongoing suggestions that they could take Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona.

Arsenal face Newcastle United in their opening game of the new Premier League season at St James' Park on Monday.