Arsenal wanted Dusan Vlahovic 12 months ago – now, the Juventus star could be ready to discuss a move after all
(Image credit: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Arsenal could be about to land Dusan Vlahovic, nearly a year after they first tried to sign the Serbian hitman.
Vlahovic was at Fiorentina 12 months ago, enjoying an impressive season for I Viola and alerting the attention of Europe's elite. The Gunners were keen to bring him to the Premier League but the striker favoured Juventus. Arsenal waited until the summer to bring in Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
But with Jesus sidelined with a knee injury for the foreseeable future and Mikel Arteta's side finding themselves in an unexpected title race, the club have reignited interest in Vlahovic, whose new employers are enduring a tough time in Serie A.
Arsenal need a replacement for Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazil ruled out with a knee injury (Image credit: Getty Images)
Juve were surprisingly knocked out of the Champions League, before their entire board resigned – while the club are way behind in race to re-claim the Scudetto. The Old Lady may well have to sell players who aren't happy with the current state of the side.
According to Italian outfit Tuttosport via football.london, the Gunners are speaking to Vlahovic's representatives once more, with the forward perhaps a little more attainable now that his stint in Turin hasn't gone to plan.
What's more, the Gunners have another ace up their sleeve when it comes to negotiations with the Serie A side. According to a report from Calciomercatoweb, the north Londoners will use Juve's historic interest in centre-back Gabriel to broker a swap deal.
Arsenal have apparently agreed terms on a contract for left-sided centre-back Evan Ndicka, who is out of contract in the summer – and given Gabriel's somewhat erratic form this season, could reportedly cash in on the Brazilian. This doesn't seem too likely, however, given that the player signed a new contract just before the World Cup.
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Arsenal defender Gabriel celebrates after scoring his side's winning goal against Chelsea (Image credit: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images)
At current, Eddie Nketiah remains the likely option to replace Jesus. The young England U21 star signed a new contract last summer and was given Thierry Henry's iconic No.14 shirt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
