Arsenal ready to pay £68m immediately for Dusan Vlahovic
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Arsenal are prepared to pay £68 million for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic in January, Gazzetta dello Sport (today’s edition, page 22) reports.
The Gunners have had an impressive first half to the season, and they are currently fourth in the standings with 32 points from 18 matches.
Ahead of the New Year, there are suggestions that they could be tempted to sign a new striker with the uncertainty over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future.
It is now reported that the Gunners are keen to landing Vlahovic next month, and they are ‘ready to pay’ £68m ‘immediately’ for his services.
However, a deal appears unlikely to happen. Vlahovic’s contract expires in June 2023, but Fiorentina plan to keep him for the rest of the campaign.
Vlahovic recently snubbed a contract renewal, but he is also happy to stay until the summer to boost the club’s prospects of European football.
On top of this, the Serbian appears to have the preference to stay in Serie A with Juventus.
Our view:
The 21-year-old is one of the best young strikers in world football at the moment. He has bagged 18 goals and three assists from just 20 games for Fiorentina this season.
His form has been truly exceptional this year. He recently bagged his 33rd Serie A goal, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time league record that was set in 2020.
Fiorentina would benefit from selling him at the earliest possibility after his contract snub, but their prospect of European qualification has changed their stance.
Hence, any suitors may need to wait until the summer. The Gunners are in the mix for his services, but there is heavy competition with Manchester City and Juventus also keen.
Champions League football could be pivotal to the Gunners’ chances of luring him next summer. Even then, they could face a losing battle if the Cityzens make a formal bid.
Mikel Arteta’s side could have a busy summer with the contracts of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah expiring while Aubameyang’s future remains a question mark.
Aubameyang was recently stripped of captaincy and dropped after a disciplinary breach. His future will be assessed following his return from the African Cup of Nations.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Read: Mikel Arteta provides fresh update on Eddie Nketiah’s future at Arsenal.