Arsenal have last laugh over failed Vlahovic transfer
FT Desk
- 14 Oct 2022 09:35 BST
- 3 min read
Dusan Vlahovic's agents reportedly didn't even pick up the phone when Arsenal called. Now the Gunners are top of the Premier League whilst Juventus are floundering.
Vlahovic emerged as one of the most potent young attackers in Europe over his last few seasons at Fiorentina, scoring 40 goals in that time before Juventus paid €80 million for his services in January.
Arsenal had been interested in recruiting the 22-year-old Serbian, but the 13-time English champions were reportedly not treated with as much respect as they might have hoped by Vlahovic and his entourage.
Dusan Vlahovic turned down Arsenal to sign for Juventus in January.⚪️⚫️
Should the Gunners go back in for him in the next transfer window?🔴— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 24, 2022
"Vlahovic's representatives were not interested in entertaining a move to Arsenal because of the lack of Champions League football in North London," write the Express.
"So much so, that they did not even answer the phone. Furthermore, they did not feel the club's project and rebuild was at the right stage for the Serbian international to justify making the jump."
Vlahovic has since denied shunning Arsenal, at least personally.
"Maybe my agent knows, but I never talked to anyone about it," he told the Telegraph. "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."
Arsenal turned to Jesus
Instead, Arsenal moved for Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus this summer, and after completing a £45 million (€52m) deal, the Brazilian has gone on to fire the Gunners to the top of the Premier League with five goals and four assists from his nine appearances.
Vlahovic has managed five and one in each column from eight Serie A games with Juventus this term, but the Bianconeri sit eighth in the table, 10 points off Napoli's league-setting pace, and with Max Allegri only a substantial pay-off away from getting sacked as coach.
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To add insult to injury, Vlahovic drew a blank as Juve were beaten 2-0 by Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Tuesday, all but condemning them to Europa League football in the new year.
How Vlahovic must now wish his agents had picked up the phone.
