Arsenal have reached agreement with Fiorentina over the transfer of Dusan Vlahovic but, according to Tuttomercatoweb, the Serie A hotshot may turn down a Premier League move in favour of Juventus.
It wasn’t necessarily the fact Vlahovic rejected a new contract at the Stadio Artemio Franchi that had Fiorentina supporters up in arms – although that certainly didn’t help.
The reason why Vlahovic has had such a rough ride from the Viola faithful, it seems, has more to do with suggestions he could follow in Federico Chiesa’s footsteps and swap Fiorentina for their most hated rivals – Juventus.
TMW backs up statements made earlier today by Gianluca di Marzio, who claims Arsenal have agreed a deal that could see one of Europe’s hottest prospects head to the Emirates in 2022.
It’s understood Fiorentina directors Daniele Prade and Joe Barone were in London this week to hold talks over Vlahovic’s future.
Arsenal are ‘open’ to meeting Fiorentina’s £68 million asking price too, as long as the fee can be paid in instalments similar to the deal that saw Nicolas Pepe join from Lille in 2019.
Clear progress, then, has been made as Arsenal look to snatch the Serbia international from under the noses of arch rivals Tottenham.
Arsenal working hard to secure Vlahovic transfer
A couple of obstacles must be overcome first, however, before any deal can be struck. For one, Fiorentina have no intention of letting their star man leave in January, preferring to retain Vlahovic until the summer.
Furthermore, TMW believes Vlahovic “doesn’t want Arsenal”, preferring to put pen to paper with Juventus. And that may be a hurdle even Karsten Warholm would struggle to clear.
It appears Mikel Arteta, Edu and co will need to be at their most convincing if Vlahovic is to join forces with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey and Ben White next year.
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