Arsenal dealt devastating blow in pursuit of priority No.9 target

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Jan 2024 21:27 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal's hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic have taken yet another hit.

Already rocked by the news that the striker is in negotiations with Juventus over a new deal, the Gunners have now been told that Vlahovic is not for sale in the January transfer window.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Arsenal were still keen on the Serb despite being snubbed by him in January 2022. Mikel Arteta still harbours hopes of eventually bringing the striker to the Emirates and, if given the choice, would choose him over the other star forwards Arsenal have been linked with.

The chances of this materialising - at least in the short term - are dwindling swiftly. Last month, Vlahovic said of his future: “I'm very happy to be at Juventus. I still have two and a half years left on my contract here at Juve, we're in no rush but director [Cristiano] Giuntoli and my agent are already talking. I feel at home at Juventus and I never really thought of leaving."

What did Giuntoli say?

Now, Giuntoli has himself opened up about his star striker and doused cold water on any potential exit talk. Speaking to the media ahead of Juventus' Coppa Italia clash with Salernitana, the club director insisted that Vlahovic is not for sale.

Asked about Arsenal's interest in the number nine, Giuntoli said: "We don't know anything about it, he's not on the market." This season, Vlahovic has scored six goals as Juventus sit second in Serie A.

If Arsenal wish to sign a number nine in January, they will have to focus on different players. However, it seems as though they must first offload someone before they can afford a big-name Vlahovic alternative. That someone could be Eddie Nketiah despite the Gunners rejecting a first approach from Crystal Palace.