Manchester United and Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has reportedly been made available to the highest bidder in the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani secured a January move to Juventus on loan after enduring a difficult spell in France, starting just twice for PSG this term in the league.
The French forward has already started three times for Juve in Serie A and scored three goals, and has pushed Juve striker Vlahovic further down the pecking order.
Vlahovic had previously been linked with a move to both Arsenal and Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim and Mikel Arteta both in desperate need of offensive reinforcements.
The clubs will reportedly have the chance to sign the striker in the summer, as Calciomercato have claimed that the Serbian forward has been made available to the highest bidder in the summer amidst interest from the English sides and clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
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Manchester United: The case for Vlahovic
Manchester United narrowly defeated Leicester City 2-1 in the FA Cup on Friday, coming from behind to advance to the fifth round thanks to Harry Maguire's controversial last-gasp winner.
Amorim's side have failed to score in four of their last eight Premier League games, and have in fact only found the back of the net 28 times in 24 top-flight matches, the joint fifth worst record in the league.
Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have only netted five goals between them in the top flight, but United's current offensive options are limited considering they loaned out Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa in the January window, and it is reported that Villa have the option to make the deal permanent.
Vlahovic has scored 41 goals in 94 Serie A appearances with Juventus, and has proven his ability as a poacher in the penalty area.
However, the Red Devils have only produced 34.2 xG in the league this term - the 11th best record in the Premier League - so perhaps they would be better off signing creative players in wing-back positions to help support the forward line.
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Arsenal: The case for Vlahovic
The Gunners are currently second in the top flight but trail league-leaders Liverpool by six points, and have at times come unstuck by stubborn defensive blocks.
Talisman Bukayo Saka has been absent since late December due to a hamstring injury, and he is likely to miss out on action for a number of weeks yet.
Elsewher, winger Gabriel Martinelli has been ruled out for more than a month due to a hamstring injury of his own, while striker Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of the season.
Vlahovic's arrival would be a welcome boost to Arsenal as he would not only provide more depth in attack, but his immense physical presence up front could benefit creative players like Martin Odegaard, who has not always linked well with current striker Kai Havertz.
While the 25-year-old would not be able to contribute towards the Gunners' title charge this campaign, he could help fire Arteta's side to Premier League glory in 2025-26.
Lewis Nolan
