Former Fiorentina director Pantaleo Corvino has admitted that Premier League giants Arsenal wanted to sign Dusan Vlahovic before he joined the Serie A outfit in 2018, speaking to Il Stampa.
During the January transfer window, Arsenal’s first-choice striker target slipped through Mikel Arteta’s fingers, snubbing the Gunners in favour of a £62 million move to Juventus.
But this wasn’t the first time Arsenal missed out on a man who began his Juve career with four goals in six games, including a brilliantly-taken strike just 33 seconds into his Champions League debut.
Fiorentina fought off competition from clubs all across the continent when signing a teenage Vlahovic from Partizan Belgrade.
And it’s amazing to think that, at the time, the critics were queuing up to ask why La Viola had paid over a million euros for a little-known Serb who’d scored just three goals in 27 senior appearances.
£60 million profit
“I signed Vlahovic for 1.5 million euros (£1.2m) and some said it was expensive,” explains Corvino.
“There was no lack of criticism. Some judged the amount excessive for a boy who could not be registered immediately and which precluded the hiring of other non-EU players.
“I knew I was investing well and could not delay. Dusan was courted by clubs of great appeal. Some with much higher economic possibilities.
“Juventus and Atalanta were also following him in Italy. Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund abroad.”
Fortunately, the Fiorentina owners trusted Corvino’s judgement. After three-and-a-half years and 49 goals for the Serie A giants, Vlahovic departed to the tune of a profit in excess of £60 million.
“The Della Valle (Fiorentina owners) family trusted me,” Corvino remembers.
“Dusan wants to improve. And, with (Juventus boss Max) Allegri, he will complete his development.”
Arsenal were not the only London-based outfit who missed out on a teenage Vlahovic. Queens Park Rangers held talks to sign the then-17-year-old frontman before Corvino and Fiorentina swooped in.
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