Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'rekindle interest in Serie A striker after failed 2022 move'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 23 April 2024

Arsenal reportedly reignite their interest in Juventus and Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, who they tried and failed to sign from Fiorentina in January 2022.

Arsenal are apparently planning to rekindle their interest in a highly-rated Serie A striker after trying and failing to acquire his services in 2022.

During his days as a Fiorentina player, Dusan Vlahovic was heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates, and a deal was believed to be on the cards midway through the 2021-22 season.

At that point, the Gunners had acrimoniously severed ties with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Alexandre Lacazette was in the final six months of his contract and on the way out too.

However, Vlahovic snubbed interest from the Gunners to join Juventus in a deal worth £71.8m, but consistency has been difficult for the Serbian to come by in black and white.

Vlahovic has struck 40 goals in 94 matches for Massimiliano Allegri's side, as well as providing nine assists, but his long-term future in Turin has never been set in stone.

Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic after sustaining an injury on December 8, 2023 © Reuters

Vlahovic yet to sign Juventus extension

The 24-year-old is still under the same terms he penned upon his arrival in Turin two years ago, which expire the summer of 2026, although he has come good at the forefront of the Bianconeri attack this season.

From 31 matches across all competitions, Vlahovic has come up with 17 goals and three assists, including 16 strikes in Serie A to sit second in the scoring charts behind Lautaro Martinez's 23.

However, a new striker could arrive at Juventus for the 2024-25 season, and the Turin giants are believed to have their eye on Genoa's Albert Gudmundsson, who could cost as much as €30m (£25.8m).

Sales will therefore have to be made before Juve can pursue Gudmundsson's signature, and according to Tuttosport, Arsenal have renewed their interest in taking Vlahovic off of the Bianconeri's books.

The Italian giants would apparently be open to bids of around €60m (£51.6m) to let the former Fiorentina man depart, a figure which Arsenal would have no problem forking out amid their search for a big-money centre-forward.

Vlahovic 'demanding more than £10m in yearly wages'

Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic celebrates scoring their first goal on September 16, 2023 © Reuters

However, Vlahovic would supposedly command a yearly wage of €12m (£10.3m) at his new club, which only five Arsenal players in Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz earn more than.

Nevertheless, the Gunners are expected to set aside their cash reserves for the signature of a new top striker this summer, as Arteta has frequently chopped between Jesus and Havertz in the number nine role so far this season.

Neither man has hit double figures in the current Premier League campaign - Havertz has struck nine times to Jesus's four - while Eddie Nketiah has five top-flight strikes to his name but has started just 10 Premier League games.

The Englishman is being tipped to leave the Gunners this summer in search of regular minutes elsewhere, but Arsenal would apparently ask for a club-record fee to let him depart.

The Gunners lead the way in the Premier League table on goal difference and can move three points clear of Liverpool by defeating London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday.