Arsenal are in the market for a marquee striker and their search has led them back to familiar places as they are being linked with Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic once again.
As per reports from Arsenal Fanatic News, the Gunners are willing to shell out as much as £25m per season to land the Serbian marksman, who has been on their radar since his days playing for Fiorentina.
The report adds that Arsenal are looking to structure a potential deal for Vlahovic in the same fashion they acquired Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad earlier this season. The club will be paying the Spanish side £10m million for three seasons, along with paying the player his £3m per season wages, totaling up to a net £39 million outlay on Merino. Similarly, they are looking to sign Vlahovic by paying Juventus £20m for three seasons, along with the player’s £5m wages, totaling up to £75m.
This approach is increasingly being adopted by teams as the market is entering a volatile state, with the world economy playing its role in these happenings. As a result, the Gunners could adopt this new payment structure for most future deals.
Not the first time Vlahovic is linked with Arsenal
Dusan Vlahovic was born in Serbia in 2000 and began his early playing career with OFK Beograd, followed by Partizan between 2014-16. He broke into their first team that year, playing with them for two years before moving to Fiorentina in 2018. He established himself as a promising striker with 49 goals and eight assists in 108 games for the Italian side.
The striker’s 21 goals and two assists in 40 games in 2020/21, followed by 29 goals and six assists in 45 games in 2021/22 earned his widespread acclaim, with Arsenal and Juventus emerging as frontrunners to sign him in January 2022. However, the Old Lady had the last laugh and acquired the player, but the Gunners will have a chance at signing him once again.
A tall, quick and versatile player, Vlahovic leads the line by occupying defenders and making runs in behind. He is also adept with taking set-pieces, especially direct free-kicks, which is something Arsenal lack currently. Aged just 24, he still has his physical prime ahead of him and will be a valuable asset for any top club.
