Dusan Vlahovic is ‘destined’ to become a world-class centre-forward with Juventus urged not to cash in on the striker even for over £80 million amid interest from Premier League giants Arsenal.
Two years ago this month, Arsenal missed out on the Serbian centre-forward after he opted to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Roberto Baggio, making that controversial switch from Fiorentina to their bitter rivals in black-and-white.
Flash forward to January 2024, and HITC Football understands that Dusan Vlahovic remains a player of huge interest to the North London outfit.
Arsenal held talks via intermediaries last summer too, with Juventus open to offers at the time following difficult first full season in Turin. It’s fair to say, however, that stance has now changed.
Arsenal are huge fans of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic
With eight goal contributions in his last seven Serie A matches, Vlahovic is rediscovering the form that once earned comparisons with Erling Haaland, HITC informed that Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is now determined to tie his powerhouse poacher down to a new, long-term contract.
Luca Toni, the former Juventus targetman and two-time Serie A Golden Boot winner, is ‘convinced’ that Vlahovic can break the 20-goal barrier this season while insisting that not even offers of £85 million should be enough to twist the Italian giant’s arm.
“I thought so in November (that Juventus have a potential 20-goal-a-season striker) and I am even more convinced of it now. Vlahovic is a complete centre-forward,” Toni tells Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Dusan, given his size, just needed to feel good physically and gain confidence. But his talent has never been in question. Now, he is more serene and has found consistency.
“(I would not sell) even for 100 million euros. He is strong and young. And these figures will also arrive in the future for someone like Vlahovic, destined to become one of the best number nines in Europe.”
Vlahovic has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months. Now, firing Juve to the top of the table – albeit having played a game more than Inter Milan – Allegri will be fighting tooth and nail to keep hold of a striker who produced not one but two Goal of the Season contenders during last week’s 3-0 hammering of Sassuolo.
‘Not even for 100 million euros’
“The variety of shots,” Toni adds when asked which part of Vlahovic’s game impresses him the most. “He scores beautiful goals with his right foot, left foot and with his head. He seems to have improved a lot in his long-range shots. He’s complete, he just has to continue to work and improve.”
“(I would not sell) even for 100 million euros. He is strong and young. And these figures will also arrive in the future for someone like Vlahovic, destined to become one of the best number nines in Europe.”
Arsenal have been linked with Bournemouth talisman Dominic Solanke too. But HITC understands that Andoni Iraola’s side have no plans to cash in this month.
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