Chelsea ‘in touch’ with Arsenal target Vlahovic

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 15 Dec 2022 09:02 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are one of the clubs that could move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the January transfer window.

The Blues might have scrambled to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona late in the summer, but the veteran Gabon international has not provided the thrust in the No.9 role that they might have hoped.

Meanwhile, the struggles of Kai Havertz are ongoing and the Germany international is linked with a potential move back to his homeland, where Bayern Munich are thought to be weighing up the possibility of a deal.

This could open the door for Vlahovic to move to the Premier League, having shunned the opportunity to join Arsenal last January in favour of Juventus.

MORE: Five Juventus stars who could be offloaded after board resignation

Although the Serbia international forward has performed on the field, fitness concerns, rumours that he is not happy with head coach Max Allegri and the club’s off-field troubles could motivate another transfer just 12 months on.

According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, there is a “very real possibility Dusan Vlahovic will leave Juventus in 2023. A January exit is not being ruled out by those close to him. Several top European clubs are in touch with his agent, including Chelsea, although nothing particularly advanced at this point.”

What is not yet clear, though is how the arrival of a new Juventus board might change the course of a potential transfer.

MORE: Can Dusan Vlahovic replace Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal?

Will Arsenal return for Vlahovic?

Although Arsenal could be in the market for another centre-forward following an injury to Gabriel Jesus that could see him miss out until mid-March or beyond, there is nothing concrete yet to suggest that Mikel Arteta’s side will return for a player that they tried hard to sign a year ago.

Nevertheless, it would be a logical transfer for Arsenal to try to complete if they do want to replace Jesus – something that is not being taken for granted.

Vlahovic’s injury record, too, is an off-putting factor. He has a groin problem at present, with Juventus running tests to determine the nature of the problem.