Daniele Rugani’s agent Davide Torchia revealed Chelsea made a huge offer for the Juventus defender, though the Serie A champions have no plans to sell the Italian.
Rugani, 24, has been linked with Premier League giants Chelsea throughout the transfer window after former Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri replaced Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.
A reunion was on the cards following the pair’s time together at Empoli, that was until AC Milan signed centre-back Mattia Caldara from Juve.
“Juventus have no desire to sell him, not even for a high price which, among other things, no-one in Italy could afford,” Torchia told RMC Sport.
“Chelsea made a really big bid, which was close to being unthinkable for me, but Juventus didn’t relent.
“[Sami] Khedira played only 10 more games than Daniele last season. I think Rugani can play even more this season.”
Rugani is a tall, tactically versatile, and physically strong centre-back, who is good in the air, both defensively and offensively. He is known in particular for his anticipation, intelligence, and marking ability, despite his lack of notable pace or mobility. He is also considered to be a correct player, who often avoids committing to challenges, preferring to restrict his opponents through his positioning. Due to his confidence in possession, he is capable of playing the ball out from the back-line.
Regarded as one of the most promising young Italian players of his generation, in 2015, he was named one of the best players in the world born after 1994, by Don Balón.
Chelsea are in the market to sign a defender after completing the signings of Napoli midfielder Jorginho, Goalkeeper Robert Green and the most daring of all, a World record tranfer fee for a goalkpper, the Blues signed Kepa Arrizabalaga for 72 million pounds from Spanish club Atletic Bilbao.