The Gunners manager Mikel Arteta seems to have regained the trust of fans and management with an impressive run of form this season, which was also supplemented by some beautiful football. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and are the favourites to finish in Champions League slots as it stands, above the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and West Ham.
In January, the club are looking to bolster their attacking strength having already made two massive additions in the defensive area last summer alongside converting Martin Odegaard’s loan move into a permanent deal. With the club having some off-field issues with their current striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette running out of contract, the club are looking to sign another marquee striker.
Dusan Vlahovic is a name that’s on every club’s radar right now. The Serbian forward struck 18 goals since the start of this season in 20 appearances and broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most league goals scored in a calendar year in Serie A.
ACF Fiorentina have put a substantial price tag on the 23-year-old and will not bow down so easily.
The club are looking for a fee north of 70 million euros and will not be budging that easily, especially in the winter window. However, there are multiple reports suggesting that Vlahovic prefers a move inside Italy, with Inter Milan and Juventus also interested in signing the player.
These two clubs have had some financial issues lately, which may keep them a little cautious before shelling a lot of money, but if they can make some good sales, they are definitely in contention.
Among Premier Lea clubs, Arsenal face very direct competition from their North London rivals Spurs, whose new managing director Fabio Paratici is also in close contact with Vlahovic’s agents and La Viola. There are indications suggesting that the Italian could use his good will to make this stellar move for Tottenham.
With Spurs recruiting Antonio Conte recently, the side have become a more attractive proposition than they have been in recent times. Conte has made a significant difference since coming over to England, and Vlahovic looks a perfect fit for the Italian manager. As it stands, neither Arsenal nor Tottenham are worried about the transfer fee and are ready to meet the club’s demands.
But the agent fees and the player wages seem to be a little over the top, which isn’t an uncommon thing in modern-day football, but there will be plenty of negotiations carried out in that procession. It is being speculated that the player is demanding wages in excess of 300 thousands pounds per week, which is a very significant rise to what he is receiving right now with ACF Fiorentina (26,000 pounds per week).
When asked if a big deal came along if Arsenal would go for it, Arteta said:
“Again, if it is the right player and we can afford it and we can do what we want to do we will discuss it and make the best possible decision. We are open.”
Besides Vlahovic, the club are also keeping an eye on Lille forward Jonathan David, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad. Calvert-Lewin scored 21 goals across all competitions, whilst the likes of David and Isak have been suggested to plenty of clubs across Europe by scouts.
Arsenal have some tricky fixtures to negotiate before the end of January, which includes two fixtures against Liverpool for a place in the Carabao Cup final. They will also battle Spurs in the North London derby in between these fixtures against Liverpool, and the manager will be hoping for one of these moves to work out quickly.
