Arteta: Arsenal struggling to sign Vlahovic and Arthur
FT Desk
- 23 Jan 2022 19:55 GMT
- 3 min read
Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal are unlikely to sign either Dusan Vlahovic or Arthur Melo before the end of the January transfer window.
Arsenal have been in the market for both a striker and a central midfielder during the January market.
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Fiorentina star Vlahovic has been the Gunners’ top target in the forward department, with FootballTransfers understanding that they have already lodged two bids for the Fiorentina ace this month.
However, it is also understood that Vlahovic has no intention of joining Arsenal this month and would prefer to wait until the summer to decide who his next club will be. Juventus, Tottenham and Man City are also interested.
As for centre midfield, Arsenal’s main target has been Juventus’ Arthur Melo.
Juventus are open to selling the Brazilian, who is also keen on making the move to north London.
However, Juve and Arsenal have struggled to agree on the terms of a deal – with the English side preferring a dry loan and the Italians wanting some form of future guarantees for a permanent move.
Juventus also need to find a replacement before sanctioning Arthur’s release, and time is running out with the window closing on January 31.
What did Arteta say about transfers?
Arteta has now admitted that it will be difficult for Arsenal to bring in new faces in January.
"We are certainly trying. But I don't know if we are going to be able to do it,” he said on Sunday after Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Burnley.
That result was a blow to Arsenal’s chances of finishing in the top four and means they have still yet to win a game in 2022.
They also have not scored a goal in their last three games, which is their worst scoring run for 16 years.
