Arsenal to compete with Wolves for Italian defender

Arsenal could reportedly go head-to-head with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the race to sign Juventus defender Daniele Rugani this summer.

The centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at the Bianconeri this term and he has been restricted to only seven appearances in all competitions.

As a result, he has been touted to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere and it has been reported that Wolves are planning an approach for the Italy international.

According to Tuttosport, the Gunners are also said to be monitoring the former Empoli loanee and they could directly compete with the Wolves for the player's services.

The Bianconeri have been previously reluctant to sell Rugani for anything less than £40m but they are now prepared to accept a lesser fee of around £23m as they require funds to make new additions during the summer.

Arsenal are likely to part ways with both Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis, who are entering the final year of their respective contracts and they are said to be keen on signing a younger centre-back with valuable experience.