Chelsea receive boost in signing Serie A defender

Chelsea have reportedly been offered a boost in signing Daniele Rugani after the Italian defender snubbed talks over a new contract with Juventus.

Rugani, 24, was heavily tipped to join the Blues during the summer transfer window after having previously worked under Maurizio Sarri at former club Empoli on loan.

However, the deal never materialised with the Bianconeri unwilling to sell and he has since been regularly warming the bench with the club making the surprise decision to re-sign Leonardo Bonucci from AC Milan.

According to Calciomercato, talks have reached an impasse between the Bianconeri and the player's representative and this may witness Sarri make a fresh approach for the centre-back in the New Year.

Rugani, who is currently behind the likes of Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Medhi Benatia and Andrea Barzagli in the pecking order, was rewarded with a fresh five-year contract in 2016.

He has since largely played second fiddle for the central defensive duties and he has featured just once for Juventus in the Serie A during the ongoing campaign.