Arsenal on 'RED ALERT' as Arteta eyes €60m superstar

Cameron Smith

25 Oct 2024 07:45 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are reportedly on “red alert” as they eye a January move for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic.

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The Serbia international has just over 18 months left on his current contract in Turin and he could leave Thiago Motta’s side during the winter transfer window if a suitable bid is lodged.

Arsenal remain interested in signing a new centre forward in 2025, amid Gabriel Jesus’ uncertain future and inconsistent form, and Vlahovic has emerged as a legitimate target.

The Gunners had been expected to wait until the summer window in order to launch a full-blown pursuit of RB Leipzig superstar Benjamin Sesko, but Vlahovic’s contract situation at Juventus has put them on “red alert”, according to CaughtOffside.

The 24-year-old is unlikely to sign a new deal at the Allianz Stadium, meaning a January exit is on the cards if Arsenal decide to match Juve’s €60 million asking price.

The Serie A giants are reportedly scouting the aforementioned Sesko as they prepare for Vlahovic’s potential departure, while Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a sensational loan move to Turin in recent days.

© IMAGO - Arsenal want to sign Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic

’Arsenal don’t need a new striker’ - Alan Shearer

Despite Arsenal’s interest in Vlahovic, Sesko and Sporting CP goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, Alan Shearer believes Kai Havertz is good enough to keep his place as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice number nine.

Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, Shearer told Amazon Prime Video: “I've been really impressed with him [Havertz] this season. Not only because of his goal involvements but the way he's led the line.

“At times Arsenal have been under pressure and they've needed someone to win a foul or bring one his teammates into the game and lead the line which is maybe not something we associated with him in the past.

“I was one of the ones in the summer saying that Arsenal needed a centre forward to win the Premier League or the Champions League but at the minute he's actually proving me wrong. He's filling that role and doing a splendid job.”