EXCLUSIVE: Vlahovic opportunity could force Arsenal transfer rethink

Steve Kay

Updated: 7 Jan 2025 06:12 CST
4 min read

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal have been handed an opportunity to reshape their January transfer strategy, with Juventus offering long-term target Dusan Vlahovic for a fee of around €55 million.

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Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of the Serbian striker, having previously wanted to bring him to the Emirates in January 2022. At the time, Vlahovic opted to join Juventus instead, but the Arsenal boss never lost sight of the towering centre-forward.

The Bianconeri shelled out an eye-watering €83.5 million on Vlahovic, but the 24-year-old has been hit and miss in Turin, which means that he now finds himself at a crucial crossroads in his career.

According to sources close to the situation, contract talks with Juventus are at a standstill and his status as the club's highest-paid player - by some distance - has become a key factor in the decision-making process.

The Serie A giants have done a good job trimming down their wage bill in recent seasons, but Vlahovic continues to give them headaches. Italian media previously reported that the remaining value of his contract, which runs until 2026, stands at a whopping €35m.

Juventus are keen to change this one way or another. Generally, they would be open to extending his contract to amortise that figure over a longer period of time, but due to the lack of progress in negotiations, they are now ready to cash in on the striker this year to avoid losing him for nothing down the line.

Vlahovic an opportunity for Arsenal

Vlahovic is the exact profile of striker Arteta is looking for. In the summer, Arsenal unsuccessfully targeted Benjamin Sesko, who was viewed as a market opportunity due to his release clause, which rose from €50m to around €65m in the final months of the 2023/24 season.

Similarly, the Gunners have been keeping tabs on Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle's Alexander Isak, with the latter likely outside of the club's budget as things stand.

Arteta has always insisted that Arsenal will act decisively if the right opportunity arises, and the availability of Vlahovic, at a reasonable price, could see the Gunners pivot away from other targets to secure the Serbian international’s signature.

Moreover, though Arsenal are generally seen as reluctant to spend big in January, the timing of Vlahovic's availability couldn't be more critical for Arteta's side.

With star winger Bukayo Saka potentially out until April and the club’s forwards struggling to consistently hit form, adding another body could be a game-changer for Arsenal.

The striker could provide the firepower Arsenal desperately need as they look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, currently six points ahead.

A deal for Vlahovic would not only signal Arsenal’s ambition but could provide the cutting edge required to sustain their title challenge and make a deeper run in the Champions League.

Other European top clubs have also been alerted to Vlahovic's availability, but Arsenal's long-standing interest suggests that they would be at the front of the queue should Arteta decide that reinforcements are indeed required.