'I'd swap them' - Arsenal target 'in no way inferior to Haaland'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 5 Feb 2024 16:02 GMT
• 9 min read

World Cup winner Giovanni Galli has waxed lyrical about Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic, putting him on the same pedestal as Erling Haaland.

Dusan Vlahvovic has been in good form so far in this nascent calendar year. Though he didn't really show it in Sunday's brilliant top-of-the-table clash with league leaders Inter - when he spurned a great chance with an atrocious first touch - the Serb has enjoyed a spectacular 2024, scoring six goals since the turn of the year and 12 overall in Serie A this term.

It is a very welcome upturn in form for a player who has been decidedly hit-and-miss since joining Juventus for a whopping €83.5 million in January 2022. Despite his occasional slumps, Vlahovic's stocks remain very high indeed and the 24-year-old is a sought-after commodity.

Indeed, FootballTransfers exclusively revealed in 2023 that he remains Mikel Arteta's favoured number nine option even though he snubbed Arsenal two years ago. Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in him, though their priority for the summer is clearly Victor Osimhen.

Haaland-esque striker

It seems that Arsenal will ultimately be disappointed again as Vlahovic looks set to extend his stay with Juventus by signing a new contract, however, a Premier League move could still be on the cards further down the line.

If it were up to Italy legend and 1982 World Cup winner Giovanni Galli, Vlahovic would be Man City's replacement for Erling Haaland. “It may sound like a provocation," he told Tuttosport (via BILD). "But if I were [Pep] Guardiola and asked to swap Haaland for Vlahovic, I would do it. Dusan is in no way inferior to the Norwegian.”

“I have a weakness for Dusan. I've been following him since his time in Florence, he's extraordinary. He has everything. Determination, desire, physicality and a deadly left foot. He is also strong in the air. He is physically fit at the moment. He was plagued by physical problems for a year, but now he is proving he is a champion.”

“He has to take advantage of every chance at Juventus because there aren’t as many scoring chances there as at Manchester City. But Vlahovic has still scored twelve goals. I would like to see him on a team that focuses more on offence. If he were at Manchester City, he would also score 50 goals per season like Haaland. I'm sure."