Reports: Juventus, Daniele Rugani agree to contract extension through 2020-21 season

Ever since Juventus bought Daniele Rugani’s contract in full a few years ago, he has always been viewed as the future of the Juventus defense. Sure, there were already top-notch defenders like Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini already around, but the long-term vision was certainly centered around the talents of Rugani and it goes from there.

There’s one way to ensure that Rugani is the future — to keep him around as long as Juve possibly can.

According to multiple Italian media outlets, Juventus and Rugani have agreed to a contract extension through the 2020-21 season. Those same reports suggest that pretty much everything is a done deal and all that remains is an official announcement from the club themselves — which could very well mean something is happening in relatively short order.

Some folks say he’s actually signed the deal. Others say a new deal has simply been agreed upon. Either way, all signs point toward a contract extension being in Rugani’s future. And that means his future involves Juventus — which wasn’t necessarily in doubt, but always a good reminder nevertheless.

For the better part of his time with Juventus over the last year and a half, Rugani has been an option off the bench for manager Max Allegri. However, with Juventus’ current injury troubles, it’s hard to see Rugani’s playing time not take a serious uptick as Bonucci and Barzagli are out until the new year and both Chiellini and Medhi Benatia made of glass. There are now plenty of opportunities for Rugani to show his worth and once again prove to many folks why he’s viewed as a building block for the present and future.

And with his new contract reportedly close to being a reality, you have to think that he’d like to show what he’s worth, too. Not always the worst thing in the world to have happen these days with young players.