Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic has now addressed his future with the Serie A side amid Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta marking the Serbian as his top striker transfer target.
The Gunners coach is keen to add further goals to his attack in the upcoming January sales. Arteta feels Arsenal are light on goalscorers as they eye the Premier League title and march on in the Champions League. He has just Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as natural strikers.
Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard can and have filled in as centre-forwards with the Gunners so far this season. But Football Transfers has reported that any chance for Arsenal to agree a transfer with Juventus for Vlahovic would delight Arteta. He is the Spaniard’s firm top target.
Mikel Arteta sees Dusan Vlahovic as Arsenal’s top transfer target
Arteta still adores what Vlahovic could offer Arsenal despite rejecting them to join Juventus in January 2022. The tactician wanted the Gunners to seal his switch from Fiorentina before joining the Old Lady for £58.5m, up to £66.5m. He has since scored 28 goals in 75 games.
Vlahovic has penned five of his goals in 12 games so far this term. But he only has one in his last eight Serie A outings. The 23-year-old is also likely to spoil Arteta’s plans as he does not want a move. 90min also cites Arsenal’s interest but notes Vlahovic is discussing a new deal.
Dusan Vlahovic admits he is discussing a new contract at Juventus
Juventus granted Vlahovic a contract running until June 2026 to beat Arsenal to his transfer. The Bianconeri are now keen to tie the 25-cap attacker down until, at least, June 2028. And Vlahovic also admits that his agent is talking to the Bianconeri as he is happy to live in Turin.
“I still have two-and-a-half years left on my contract,” Vlahovic has told Gazzetta dello Sport. “We are in no hurry but [Juve director Cristiano] Giuntoli and my agent are already talking.
“I am very happy to stay here. I play in one of the most important teams in the world – I am honoured and proud. For now, I see myself here.”
Vlahovic also states that he did not consider leaving Juventus through the summer. Per Rudy Galetti, Chelsea held talks over a switch as boss Mauricio Pochettino felt he would be ‘ideal’. The Blues were even prepared to pay €35m (£30m) and send Romelu Lukaku the other way.
“I was always sure I wanted to stay,” Vlahovic added. “The noises are always there and they are part of the game. If we start listening to everyone, we can go crazy. I isolated myself and only thought about the retreat. In the end, I’m very happy I stayed – it was what I wanted.”
Should Juventus fail to agree on a new contract with Vlahovic, TEAMtalk has reported they could accept £50m for his transfer to Arsenal. But Arteta would, clearly, have some work to do trying to convince the forward that he made a mistake rejecting a move in January 2022.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
