Agent confirms Chelsea had bid near ‘unthinkable’ amount for Rugani

Chelsea have signed two new midfielders, broke the club record twice for most expensive signing, and even set a new world record for goalkeeper transfer fee with the acquisition of Kepa Arrizabalaga, but if we had it our way, we would’ve also spent big on a new center back. That’s the revelation from Daniele Rugani’s agent, who confirms that the Blues were willing to spend huge on Sarri’s former defensive leader at Empoli.

“Juventus have no desire to sell him, not even for a high price which, among other things, no-one in Italy could afford.

“However, the player has never asked to leave. Only when a very important offer arrives is it normal to listen, but Juventus have rejected all kinds of offers to keep him in Turin. Chelsea made a really big bid, which was close to being unthinkable for me, but Juventus didn’t relent.

“Khedira played only 10 more games than Daniele last season. I think Rugani can play even more this season.”

-Davide Torchia; source: RMC via Football Italia

While the agent doesn’t say how much the bid was, rumors claimed that Chelsea were willing to go as high as €50m after starting the bidding process at €30m. In a record-setting summer, Rugani’s fee would’ve been the most Chelsea had ever spent on a defender, handily beating David Luiz’s fee upon his return two years ago by about £10m. Alas, he didn’t want to join then, and now, seeing as how he’s just about the only non-ancient center back at the club (after Caldara was swapped for Bonucci), he’s unlikely to have changed his mind.

Of course, there are still ten hours to go in the 2018 summer transfer window...