Arsenal are reportedly ready to ‘offer’ one of their players in exchange for a proven goal scorer – and it would make a huge difference to Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners currently sit third in the Premier League and trail second-place Chelsea by four points, as well as being six points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Although Arsenal are no doubt one of the best teams in the top flight, they lack options in the final third of the pitch.
Aside from Bukayo Saka – 22 goals and nine assists this season – Arteta’s side lack a real clinical finisher.
Gabriel Martinelli has struggled to find the net consistently, having scored just four times in 22 appearances this season.
Kai Havertz has netted ten times in 23 appearances this term but still comes under fire for his finishing and performances in ‘big games’ against the elite teams both domestically and in the Champions League.
Reports from Caught Offside have suggested that Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus could be ‘offered’ to Juventus as part of a swap deal for Serbian marksman Dusan Vlahovic.
Jesus, 27, joined the North Londoners from Manchester City for a reported £45m in July 2022, according to BBC Sport.
However, he has failed to score goals on a consistent enough basis to become Arteta’s go-to forward.
This season, he registered just one goal – against Preston in the Carabao Cup.
Dusan Vlahovic could join Arsenal (Credit:Getty)
Dusan Vlahovic could join Arsenal (Credit:Getty)
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, Arteta explained how “he [Gabriel Jesus] needs to deliver” but insisted “he’s really trying”.
As for Vlahovic, 24, he is a clinical finisher who possesses both the pace, power and agility to master playing in the Premier League. The Serbia international has netted 12 times in 20 games for the Serie A outfit this term, taking his Juve tally to 53 strikes in 121 games.
The forward’s current contract at the Italian giants is set to run until June 2026, and he is valued at €65m (£54m) by Transfermarkt.
It is still unclear if Juventus would be willing to sell the player, but while on international duty in November, Vlahovic explained how he was “freed from defensive duties”, adding how he had been left “tired and lucid” from the demands put on him by Juve boss Thiago Motta.
The striker may have also damaged his relationship with the club’s fanbase after he appeared to aggressively shout and gesture towards a section of supporters after Juventus’ 2-2 draw in Serie A against Venezia on Saturday.
Although he has since scored in Juve’s 4-0 Coppa Italia win against Cagliari on Tuesday.