Arsenal have been handed a massive boost in their reported pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic after it was confirmed that the Fiorentina hotshot has refused to sign a new contract with the club.
Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso revealed the news in a statement on the club’s website in which he stated the Serie A side had offered to make the Serbian international the highest-paid player in their history. Having turned down several contract offers, Commisso adds Fiorentina must now find “feasible, appropriate solutions”
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are among the host of clubs credited with an interest in Dusan Vlahovic, as the race for the Fiorentina striker’s signature will now no doubt hot up once again ahead of the winter transfer window.
Vlahovic, 21, arrived at Fiorentina from his native club Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2018, signing a five-year contract at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. He enjoyed his breakout campaign with Fiorentina last term, scoring 21 goals in 37 Serie A appearances in the process.
The Serbian international, who has been coveted by a host of top European clubs, has carried that form into the new Serie A campaign with four goals and an assist in seven games already in his bag.
Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal—A solid attacking option for Mikel Arteta?
Mikel Arteta has managed to take Arsenal out of the rut that they were in after a dismal start to the new Premier League season. The Gunners are now unbeaten in their last four league games, winning three and drawing one.
Despite spending close to £150m on six new players in the summer transfer window, the Gunners remain far away from challenging the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United for the title. And one of their problems that still needs addressing is the lack of cutting edge in front of goal, with Mikel Arteta’s side managing only five goals in seven games to date.
With Alexandre Lacazette out of contract at the end of the season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not firing on all cylinders and Eddie Nketiah set to force a move in January to play regular first-team football, the north London giants could do well with a new striker. To that end, Dusan Vlahovic would be a smart fit at the Emirates Stadium.
Standing at 6ft 3ins tall, Vlahovic is more than simply a target-man with enough pace and power to harry and hassle the defenders. He is smart at ghosting past defenders and losing his markers to get the end of the deliveries put by his teammates in the box.
Due to his physicality, aerial prowess and predatory movements, the Serbian international is an all-day threat from set-pieces and is adept at creating opportunities for his teammates. Great at holding up the ball and linking up with his teammates as well, Dusan Vlahovic has the required qualities to flourish in the fast-paced and physical nature of Premier League football.
At 21, the ex-Partizan Belgrade man is still learning his trade and has a long way to go to unlock his true potential. If Arsenal can beat some of Europe’s top elites to his signature next summer, which will be a more realistic target than the January transfer window, it’ll represent a massive coup for Arteta.