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With only eight days left in the January transfer window, Arsenal has limited time to seal the transfer deal for Fiorentina’s striker Dusan Vlahovic. The 21-year-old Serbian international has recently been heavily linked with a move to Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window, with Mikel Arteta looking to bolster his team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
According to Vwin99, a reputable Asian sportsbook- Vlahovic has received attention from various teams across Europe, with the Gunners being on top of that list as they’re actively looking for a center-forward. As such, the Serbian player will be a valuable addition to the team, considering that Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both in the last six months of their contract at North London.
With that said, here are the latest developments on the 21-year-old’s future as the transfer clock continues ticking.
Arsenal Maintains their Interest in Sign Vlahovic
According to reports, Arsenal is still pursuing the Serbian, although it may be a delicate situation as the transfer window closes in about a week. The striker’s potential transfer to Arsenal this January might also become more complicated as Vlahovic recently tested positive for Covid-19.
According to an official statement released by Fiorentina ahead of their game with Cagliari, two players in the team tested positive despite both being vaccinated and asymptomatic. The team initiated all the necessary procedures dictated by the protocol and also notified the relevant authorities.
Deadline Set
According to news reports, Arsenal has asked Vlahovic to decide whether he wants to join the team by halfway this week as the transfer window’s deadline is fast approaching. The talks regarding the transfer are extremely slow, with only a little progress made. However, Fiorentina’s sports director Joe Barone has revealed that Vlahovic’s manager is quite difficult to deal with.
Several English teams have contacted Fiorentina, although no agreement has been reached. Arsenal remains the main team that’s interested in Vlahovic, although he seems to have other ideas. The English team is ready to negotiate the terms of the transfer with him, although his manager is refusing to talk.
Major Turning Point
In light of recent developments, Vlahovic’s stance on a move to the North London team might have started to soften. An Italian newspaper recently reported that Arsenal is ready to pay more than triple the current salary for the Serbian, offering a lucrative 5-year contract worth £8.3 million per season with a huge signing fee. That means the 21-year-old will be getting about £160,000 per week, making him one of the club’s highest earners.
If Arsenal can bring the Serbian to North London, they can rectify the £34 million mistake they made in the summer. The 21-year-old is in the last 18 months of his career with the Florence team, but it’s not going to be an easy deal considering that his agents are also said to be asking for huge fees to facilitate the deal.
When Arsenal signs the 21-year-old striker valued at £63 million, the team’s technical director Edu will be rectifying his decision to allow Tammy Abraham to move AS Roma in the summer. Tammy Abraham has already recorded three assists and 15 goals for the team this season, making him among the best center-forwards in Serie A. That’s something that will leave Arsenal fans frustrated, especially if they can’t sign Vlahovic this season.
Juventus Plans to Frustrate Arsenal’s Efforts
Juventus has also presented an offer for the 21-year-old Serbian and hopes to complete it right away. The new offer presented by Juventus might change Rocco Commisso’s mind on his decision to allow Vlahovic to leave the team this month.
Juventus is currently offering a £58 million deal that includes Dejan Kulusevski, which the team is valuing at £29.3 million. Vlahovic is also set to get a significant pay raise, taking home £4 million every season. That has made Juventus be Vlahovic’s preferred destination at the moment.
At the moment, Juventus isn’t willing to let the chance go to waste, which could be quite frustrating for Arsenal’s fanbase. The fans are currently demanding an immediate transfer after their semi-final loss to Liverpool in the carabao cup. However, manager Mikel Arteta said that it takes time to develop a team with 20-22 top outfield players.
Fiorentina Accepts Arsenal’s Bid
Vlahovic is currently in serious danger to out price himself from moving to England because of his huge wage demands. The Serbian is currently demanding a net salary of £200,000 per week (after tax), which seems like a huge amount for a 21-year-old player.
Despite his huge salary demands, Fiorentina has already accepted Arsenal’s bid for the Serbian. Arsenal is currently offering £66.6 million-plus bonuses for his services, but that doesn’t mean that a deal is imminent. That’s mainly because the 21-year-old player has accepted to join the Italian giants (Juve) when his contract expires in 2023.
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