Chelsea join Arsenal in race for Arteta favourite

Tom Weber

Updated: 22 Oct 2024 09:51 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Dusan Vlahovic, according to a report.

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The Serb continues to enchant Premier League sides despite his hit-and-miss form for Juventus. Vlahovic has never managed to live up to his inflated €83.5 million price tag in Turin, but the general consensus is that he would excel in the top flight of English football.

The physical striker has scored seven goals in 10 games so far this season, but his numbers obscure the fact that he has been heavily criticised (once again) this term. Vlahovic scores in batches, netting braces against Hellas Verona, Genoa and RB Leipzig.

The 24-year-old has drawn blanks in six of his ten games this campaign and this is simply not good enough for a striker leading the line for Juventus and who cost such an eye-watering amount of money.

Still, Vlahovic continues to be monitored by some of England's biggest sides.

Arsenal and Chelsea ask about Vlahovic

Arsenal had wanted to sign him in January 2022 while he was still at Fiorentina but were snubbed by the centre-forward in favour of Juventus. Since then, Mikel Arteta has never stopped keeping an eye on his performances.

Despite his somewhat disappointing return of 48 goals in 111 matches for Juventus, Arsenal's interest remains. According to TBR Football, even Chelsea have now asked to be kept informed on his situation.

Juventus chiefs announced last winter that a new contract for Vlahovic was close, but almost a year on, and following a massive overhaul in the summer, fresh terms have still not been agreed upon.

Despite this, Juventus are still confident that the 24-year-old will sign a fresh deal. Vlahovic would be open to a Premier League move, but he is not desperate to leave Thiago Motta's new-look side.