The Gunners have submitted a bid for Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic, despite the Serbian striker’s massive price tag and reported reluctance in joining the North London side. The Premier League club plans to use midfielder Lucas Torreira as a bargaining chip in the negotiations.
As per the Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal has tabled an offer worth 70 million euros for the Serbian forward in the hopes of beating their European rivals to his signature. The Gunners have tracked Vlahovic for long, deeming him to be the successor to ageing forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Vlahovic, who joined Fiorentina from Partizan Belgrade in 2018, burst onto the scene last season when he scored 21 goals in 40 appearances and was named Serie A’s Best Young Player of the Season.
The Serb has picked up where he left off this season, scoring 18 times in 20 appearances, including 16 in the league – a tally that makes him the current top-scorer of the division.
2021/22 Serie A top-scorers
| Player | Goals in total | Penalty goals |
| Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina) | 16 | 5 |
| Ciro Immobile (Lazio) | 13 | 7 |
| Giovanni Simeone (Verona) | 12 | 6 |
| Lautaro Martinez (Inter MIlan) | 11 | 4 |
| Joao Pedro (Cagliari( | 9 | 6 |
However, as per the report, Arsenal’s offer to Fiorentina is not a straight money deal. Instead, the Gunners are prepared to offer 55 million euros while allowing the Serie A side to sign Torreira on a permanent deal, thus bringing the total valuation of the transaction closer to their desired amount.
Fiorentina are looking to make Torreira’s season-loan long deal permanent, thanks to the Uruguayan’s stellar displays in midfield. The 25-year-old has become a key cog in Vincenzo Italiano’s side as they look to push for a European spot at the end of the season.
As per Calciomercato, La Viola are prepared to trigger a clause in Torreira’s deal, allowing him to sign for the club permanently for 13 million pounds. Although, as reported elsewhere, Arsenal might attempt to include the transfer in a complete package for Vlahovic.
Torreira joined Arsenal in 2018, made 89 appearances over the next two seasons, but has spent the following two campaigns out on loan – first, at Atletico Madrid, and then, Fiorentina.
