Arsenal move for Man City slayer as Arteta eyes PERFECT January signing

Tom Weber

Updated: 13 Dec 2024 03:55 CST
4 min read

Arsenal are 'preparing a January move' for Dusan Vlahovic, according to a report.

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The Gunners are a team back in form after a brief slump and now look to close the gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League standings, while they are also flying high in the Champions League.

Despite this, manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out making January signings. “The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we feel that we have the capacity to do that as well,” he said earlier this week. “We are on it and just have to assess the situation because it is changing every week."

There has been a lot of speculation about what kind of player Arsenal could sign in January. Generally, one would think that the club's top targets could prove unattainable mid-season, but that might not actually be the case.

Arsenal to make Vlahovic offer

On Wednesday, FootballTransfers explained that this January could be Arsenal's best chance yet of finally securing Dusan Vlahovic, of whom Arteta is known to be a big fan.

In fact, the Spaniard is said to view Vlahovic as an ideal No.9 for his system despite his sometimes hit-and-miss form since joining Juventus in January 2022.

Juventus have made significant progress in recent seasons in significantly reducing their wage bill but Vlahovic's contract is still a monumental vestige of the free-spending previous era.

The Serb is by far the club's top earner, so much so in fact that there have been reports that he could upset the club's financial 'equilibrium' unless Juventus manage to either get him to take a pay cut or extend his deal and thus secure a new period of amortisation.

Though Vlahovic was on target in Juventus' brilliant win over Man City in the Champions League midweek, the Bianconeri are said to be open to potentially selling the striker in 2025 due to the financial implications of a prolonged stay.

This is a prime opportunity for Arsenal and one that Arteta is determined not to let slip away, according to CaughtOffside. It is claimed that the Gunners are 'preparing a January move' for the 24-year-old, who would cost around €70 million in January.

However, there are other clubs keen on him as well, it is asserted. The report states that PSG, Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd are all keeping tabs on his situation at Juventus.

Read more about: Serie A, Premier League, Arsenal, Juventus, Man City, Dušan Vlahović