The Gunners want to bring in a new centre-back before the transfer deadline (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal are refusing to give up on signing Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani after their initial approach was rebuffed and are willing to take Sami Khedira off their hands as part of the deal.

The Gunners are expecting a busy end to the transfer window and want to bring in a new central defender before the deadline, with both Shkodran Mustafi and club captain Laurent Koscielny likely to leave.

That could leave Unai Emery short of options at the back – an area that was already a weakness – and that prompted Arsenal to enquire about the possibility of signing Rugani on loan.

The 25-year-old is highly rated at Juve but has mainly been used as cover (Picture: Getty)

However, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport report that Juventus rejected the offer and still see Rugani as an important squad member despite Matthijs de Ligt’s arrival from Ajax over the summer.




With Giorgio Chiellini also nursing a calf injury, Juve are wary of letting Rugani go – though that has not deterred Arsenal.

According to Gazzetta, the north Londoners have returned with an improved offer that would se Rugani move to the Emirates on a two-year loan, while they would also sign World Cup winner Khedira as part of the deal.

The German, who is on a massive salary, is considered surplus to requirements at Juve – who bolstered their already competitive midfield with the signings of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot – and has played no part in pre-season.

Khedira will likely need to take a pay cut if he wants to join Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Juve have struggled to offload him despite interest from Fiorentina and Valencia, though Arsenal could offer an escape route – as long as the Old Lady agree to loaning out Rugani.

Khedira has already fuelled speculation that he could join Arsenal after he was spotted at the Emirates for their pre-season friendly against Lyon, though Emery played down his visit at the time: ‘Khedira is a very good player but this is the first time I have heard his name mentioned.’

Arsenal are expected to confirm the club-record £72million signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille imminently, though Emery is still desperate for upgrades in defence with Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney another target.