Arsenal are now making serious moves in order to boost Mikel Arteta’s playing staff before pre-season begins.
Martin Zubimendi is already a Gunner and the likes of Christian Norgaard should be set to follow.
Arsenal are also working to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP to end their long search for a striker, personal terms are agreed, and Andrea Berta simply needs to find an agreement with the Portuguese club.
It’s currently believed that Arsenal will pay close to £65m for the Sweden international, who’s scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting.
However, the former Coventry City star does still have his doubters in N17, and there might now be a much cheaper option available, if it’s not too late.
Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic might leave Juventus for free this summer
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio is now reporting that Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic will be offered the chance to terminate his contract with Juventus this summer.
TBR Football recently shared that Vlahovic was free to leave Juventus after failing to agree a new contract with the club.
Dusan Vlahovic in actino for Juventus against Venezia
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
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However, it would represent a significant twist if the Serbia international was suddenly allowed to leave as a free agent.
Arsenal have shown interest in Vlahovic once again this summer given their need to recruit a new number nine.
And it has been reported that Vlahovic would ‘pack his bags’ to join Arsenal in a heartbeat, a striker who would like to try his hand in the Premier League.
At this stage, it’s unclear if Vlahovic would accept Juventus’ offer to terminate his contract one-year early, a striker who cost the Italian club £67m back in 2022.
And if the 25-year-old does accept the club’s contract termination offer, he’d be writing off around £21m in wages across the season.
Dusan Vlahovic can’t match Viktor Gyokeres’ goal record
Of course, it is now interesting to ponder if Vlahovic might actually be a better pickup than Gyokeres for Arsenal right now.
There’s currently no sign that Arteta’s side will have a dramatic change of heart, but signing a striker of Vlahovic’s quality potentially on a free transfer would be tempting for several elite clubs.
Games Goals Goal ratio
Dusan Vlahovic (Serie A) 202 87 0.43
Viktor Gyokeres (Portugal Liga) 66 68 1.03
Vlahovic and Gyokeres’ goal records compared in different leagues.
Whilst it hasn’t quite worked out for the striker at Juventus, he does still boast a respectable goal record throughout his time in Italy.
And although Gyokeres has scored almost a goal a game for Sporting in Portugal, there is a big discrepancy in quality between the two leagues.
Therefore, Vlahovic, who is two years younger than Gyokeres, might be similarly effective for the Gunners — a penalty box striker who is an excellent finisher.
It’s worth noting that Tottenham have also shown interest in Vlahovic, and perhaps the Serbian might still get his move to the Premier League, even if it’s not with Arsenal.