Report: Newcastle could make bid for £18m ace today, want him on loan

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Newcastle United want Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and could make a loan-to-buy offer today for the five-time Serie A champion, according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla.

Magpies boss Steve Bruce has been prioritising tried and trusted Premier League talent lately and is understandably thrilled to add experience and depth to a previously paper-thin squad. Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Jeff Hendrick look a quartet of intelligent arrivals.

But while Rugani has never survived a relegation battle with Burnley or become a fans’ favourite at Bournemouth, it seems Bruce is willing to break the mould when it comes to the seldom-seen Italy international.

A five-time Serie A winner he may be, but Rugani has gone from future star to forgotten man in Turin.

The 26-year-old made just seven league starts under his former Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri last term as Juve claimed a ninth successive Scudetto.

These days Rugani is the club’s fifth-choice central defender, behind Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt.

It remains to be seen, however, if Rugani would rather sit on the sidelines and add to his impressive tally of honours at Juventus or play regular first-team football at a Newcastle side aiming for mid-table.

Pedulla claims the Magpies could make a bid for Rugani’s £18 million-rated services today.

West Ham and Fulham are also interested (Pedulla).