Arsenal is still on the hunt for a world-class striker and will drive hard to collect the signing of Fiorentina’s Dušan Vlahović.
At 21 years old, Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović is taking the world by storm with his numerous goals with Italian side Fiorentina this season.
With less than 10 days for Vlahović to turn 22, multiple reports and rumors have set the young striker outside of Fiorentina and have placed him all around Europe’s giants in this winter transfer window. However, with various rumored offers, one team stands above them all: Arsenal.
It is reported that Mikel Arteta and the Gunners are ready to drop some serious cash for the young striker.
With Arsenal now in fifth place in the Premier League standings, they are looking for someone to be that front-man that can mount a serious challenge to the rest of the League.
With 17 goals in 21 Serie A matches this season, Vlahović might be just the right striker that Arsenal needs.
Vlahović seems to be the right choice for Arsenal and Arteta.
As the Gunners seek to make it into the UEFA Champions League Group Stage next season, they’ll need someone upfront to help produce more goals.
Though it seems that no official bid is in place for the 21-year-old striker, Fiorentina CEO Barone is open to considering all the proposals for Vlahović, as he told Mediaset.
Fiorentina CEO Barone on Dušan Vlahović future and Arsenal bid: “We’re open to consider all the proposals we’ll receive for Vlahović - no bid is on the table right now”. 🇷🇸 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2022
“We’ve not received any official offer. Let’s see if some proposal will arrive”, he told Mediaset. pic.twitter.com/eLT8SOYrHy
Vlahović’s name has been mentioned all across Europe, but none have put a number on the table. It’ll be just a matter of days, perhaps hours, before someone makes an official offer for Vlahović’s services.
It was only Spurs, who have so far held talks with Fiorentina officials over the purchase of the player; they were well under the valuation of the selling club and the offer was subsequently rejected.
Following Fiorentina’s 6-0 bashing over Genoa in Serie A on Monday night past, Vlahović again appeared on the scoresheet for the Italian side.
Head Coach, Vincenzo Italiano, updated everyone on what the Serbian striker’s future might hold, mentioning that he saw him “very motivated” but “he’s relaxed.”
Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano on Dusan Vlahović future: "At the moment we enjoy Dusan here at Fiorentina, he's with us - I don't know about the future. He scored a great goal today. I see him very motivated, he's relaxed". 🟣🇷🇸 #Vlahovic
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 17, 2022
The young forward has been brutal upfront. Arsenal should not be taken lightly with his skills and the squad that Arteta will build around him — that’s if they are to sign him now or in the summer.
With players such as Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal increase their squad depth exponentially. With Vlahović in their ranks, they could adjust well in the Premier League.
It is still unclear whether he will come during the winter transfer window or wait until the season is over. One thing is clear — he will leave Fiorentina soon. Vlahović’s value is as high as it can be for Fiorentina to profit from the Serbian striker.
The Italian side is rushing negotiations to close on a deal soon, as they should. If Fiorentina prolongs his exit, his market value and asking price won’t be as high anymore due to Vlahović’s contract expiring in the summer of 2023 — he will then have the opportunity to leave the club for free.
Negotiations are occurring for Vlahović and all parties involved. In just a few days, he’ll turn 22. Who knows, maybe the clubs are waiting for his 22nd birthday to make an official announcement.