Mbappe thinks Arsenal missed out on ‘one of the best of his generation’

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Kylian Mbappe believes Dusan Vlahovic is ‘one of the best of his generation’, speaking to Football Italia about the one-time Arsenal target ahead of PSG’s Champions League group-stage clash with Juventus. 

Vlahovic appears to have added yet another string to his bow this season. A frightening thought. Like a peak-era Mike Tyson finding a new way to punch, sending teeth bouncing all over the canvas.

Juventus’ number seven has scored two free-kicks in his last two Serie A outings. And both would not have looked out of place in a montage of David Beckham’s best; his 25-yard thunderbolt against Roma clipping the bar for extra satisfaction. 

“Vlahovic is a quality striker. He’s one of the best of his generation,” says Mbappe, who knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net. “He can do much better going forward, he has so much to give. 

“He has already shown so much. Only time will tell, but I don’t think it is a big risk for me to say that he will be a top striker in the coming years.” 

Arsenal wanted Dusan Vlahovic before he joined Juventus

Vlahovic has scored 13 goals in 25 games since following Federico Chiesa, Federico Bernardeschi and Roberto di Baggio from Fiorentina to Turin in January, turning down Arsenal in favour of Max Allegri’s side while inheriting the number seven shirt previously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Gunners – who could have signed a teenage Vlahovic for just £1.5 million back in 2018 – even agreed a £68 million fee with Fiorentina before Christmas. They were also willing to let Lucas Torreira join Fiorentina as part of the deal.

The prospect of joining an Arsenal side incapable of offering Champions League football was not one that appealed to Vlahovic, however, and some would say his decision has been justified as he boards a flight to Paris before taking on Mbappe, Neymar, Lionel Messi and co on Europe’s biggest stage. 

“Now, Arsenal are a bit angry because they wanted Vlahovic,” explains Pablo Bentancur, Torreira’s agent. “Fiorentina wanted to sell him but the agents said he had to go to Juventus. You always do what the player wants.”