Report: £18m, five-time league champion rejects Newcastle to make France move

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Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has turned down Newcastle United in favour of a move to Ligue 1 high-flyers Rennes, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

After falling down the pecking order in Turin, Andrea Pirlo’s fifth-choice centre-half had a decision to make as he closed in on a loan move away from the Serie A champions – Britain or Brittany?

The Northern Echo claimed this morning that Newcastle had held talks with the £18 million Rugani and were expected to embark on further discussions over the weekend.

By that point, however, the five-time Scudetto winner might already be a Rennes player.

TMW claims the Italy international prefers a move to France over the chance to play under Steve Bruce, one of the finest ever Premier League defenders, at St James Park.

In truth, who can blame him? And we mean no disrespect to a Newcastle side that has reinforced intelligently in this window.

It’s just that Rennes are in the middle of the greatest era in the club’s recent history.

Julian Stephan guided an exciting, attack-minded side inspired by teenage talisman Eduardo Camavinga into the Champions League group stages for the first time last term.

And, after bringing in one of France’s hottest strikers in Serhou Guirassy, who has scored more Ligue 1 goals than anyone else in 2020, Rennes are top of the Ligue 1 table with four wins from five games.

TMW reports that Rugani will arrive on loan for a fee of about £1 million. And the deal could be done tonight.