Arsenal are in the strongest position to sign Dusan Vlahovic as the Gunners are prepared to offer the most to buy the Fiorentina striker in a January transfer, according to The Athletic.
Boss Mikel Arteta has determined that centre-forward reinforcements is the most pressing need at the Emirates Stadium right now. The Spaniard wants to bolster the ranks in north London this month, given the uncertainty over their current attacking options.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future continues to look bleak following Arteta stripping the Gabon star of the armband. Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, who has stepped up as captain, are also out of contract in June. While Folarin Balogun is set to leave on loan.
Arsenal are, therefore, working on handing Arteta a new striker in the January sales. But it is not guaranteed the Gunners will bring a new attacker to the capital in the winter market.
Fiorentina’s prolific star Vlahovic is Arsenal’s leading choice for a striker transfer if they do move this month, however. And if the 21-year-old leaves Tuscany in January, the Gunners are also the best-placed side to sign the Serbian currently.
Arsenal lead January transfer race for Fiorentina marksman Vlahovic
Arsenal lead the Vlahovic race as Arteta’s side are willing to pay Fiorentina the most to seal a January transfer. The Emirates outfit are also ready to offer the 14-cap forward the most lucrative salary among his present admirers.
Fiorentina know Vlahovic will be leaving the club at some point with his contract expiring in 2023. He also has no intentions of renewing, while CEO Joe Barone has fumed at his agent.
However, there is a sense within the walls at Fiorentina that Arsenal are not Vlahovic’s first choice of transfer destination. The forward is also not overly keen to join rivals Tottenham Hotspur or Newcastle United, instead favouring staying in Serie A and moving to Juventus.
I Viola are readying themselves for Vlahovic’s departure, nonetheless. Hertha Berlin striker Krzysztof Piatek is closing in on a move to the Artemio Franchi Stadium and may join soon.
In terms of Arsenal’s offer, Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier in the week they bid €70m (£58.5m) to sign Vlahovic from Fiorentina in the January transfer window.
The sum would make Vlahovic the Gunners’ second-most expensive signing in club history. Only Nicolas Pepe (£72m) would have cost more, marginally ahead of Aubameyang (£56m).
Vlahovic – who Micah Richards called ‘ridiculous’ on BBC Radio 5 Live – has scored 16 goals in 20 Serie A games so far this season. He also hit 21 over 37 appearances last term.
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