Revealed: Why Dusan Vlahovic rejected Arsenal
FT Desk
- Updated: 13 Jun 2022 22:06 BST
- 3 min read
Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic insists that he did not receive a transfer approach from Arsenal during the January window.
Vlahovic had been closely linked with the Gunners, but ultimately chose to move across Serie A from Fiorentina for a fee worth an initial £59 million.
While he could not quite keep up the pace of his blistering start to the season - the Serbia striker smashed 17 goals in 21 games for Fiorentina prior to his move - Vlahovic's intervention proved crucial to rescuing what was turning into a rotten campaign for Juve.
The giants were outside of Champions League qualification when their new star arrived but went on to win five of their next seven games.
That run propelled them into fourth place, a position which they did not surrender for the rest of the season, while Vlahovic returned seven Serie A strikes in 14 for a total 2021-22 tally of 21.
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What did Vlahovic say about Arsenal?
“Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal’s offer] but I never talked to anyone about it,” Vlahovic told the Telegraph when asked about the possibility of joining the Gunners.
“I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. There is nothing else to say. And now I feel honoured to be given this jersey. It’s incredible every time I put it on.
“I definitely identify with their DNA. The Juventus personality coincides with my personality. When you come here you never give up, you fight all the time, you make the sacrifices. This was definitely what I was looking for.”
Arsenal are yet to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following the Gabon hitman's January switch to Barcelona on a free transfer.
Their striking woes look set to worsen over the summer, with Alexandre Lacazette leaving on a free transfer and Nicolas Pepe likely on his way out of the Emirates Stadium too.
