Mikel Arteta on Kieran Tierney
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly in the market for a top-tier striker and has set his sights on Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic ahead of the January transfer window.
The Serbian, valued at £65 million, is seen as a prime target to bolster the Gunners’ attack for the crucial second half of the 2024/25 season.
According to CaughtOffside, Arteta views the 24-year-old as the ideal fit for Arsenal’s attacking setup. The Gunners have showcased expansive and sometimes direct football this season but have struggled to find consistent goal-scoring solutions in the final third.
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Vlahovic’s goal-scoring prowess could be the missing piece in Arsenal’s push for silverware. Currently sitting six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool—who have a game in hand—Arsenal face an uphill battle to close the gap. However, Arteta remains optimistic that a prolific striker could elevate the team’s chances of challenging for top honours.
Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arteta has not ruled out making January signings: “The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we feel that we have the capacity to do that as well,” he said earlier this week. “We are on it and just have to assess the situation because it is changing every week.”
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Despite Arsenal’s strong interest, signing Vlahovic will not be straightforward. Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City are all monitoring the striker’s situation. Pep Guardiola, in particular, got a firsthand view of Vlahovic’s abilities when the Serbian played a decisive role in Juventus’ recent Champions League victory over City.
Juventus, keen to retain Vlahovic, are yet to secure an extension to his contract, which runs until 2026. Should negotiations stall, the Italian club is open to selling the player, with a €70 million price tag expected to spark a bidding war.
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