Juventus could be ready to cash in on striker Dusan Vlahovic after an underwhelming campaign in front of goal, and may find a suitor in Premier League club Arsenal. Any deal would be dependent on the Serie A outfit recouping the fee they paid to sign him from Fiorentina though.
According to Football Insider, and as reported by Juvenews.eu, Arsenal are in the market for a new striker to challenge Gabriel Jesus and are looking for an alternative to Eddie Nketiah, with Vlahovic‘s greater physicality ideal for coach Mikel Arteta.
Similarly, Folarin Balogun is expected to depart the Premier League leaders this summer after a successful loan spell with Reims, prompting the Gunners to look for another attacking option.
Why are Juventus considering selling Vlahovic?
A tumultuous season on and off the pitch has seen Juventus dumped out of the Champions League at the Group Stage, whilst their return to the competition is under threat after they were hit with a 15-point penalty in Serie A in January, after being found guilty of capital gains fraud. That deduction could yet be overturned.
The Bianconeri are appealing that punishment, but it currently leaves them in sixth place in the Serie A table and at risk of missing out on the substantial financial windfall that comes with a place in Europe’s top competition.
Juventus are thought to be looking to undertake a rebuild this summer, with veteran players moved on in favour of younger starlets who can be moulded into a team to compete in the long term.
However, the Turin club will require significant funds to do so and see Vlahovic as a guaranteed means of securing a healthy income. Similarly, it is felt that Juventus would prefer to invest in a striker who better fits the style of play of coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Poor form could push Vlahovic to Arsenal
The Serbia international has netted just two Serie A goals since October, with both coming in the same match against Salernitana, and his current barren run stands at nine Serie A games after failing to net on Matchday 30 in the 1-0 loss against Sassuolo.
Meanwhile, Vlahovic has failed to live up to the €70 million price tag that saw him make a contentious switch from Fiorentina in January 2022, with his recent form in particular causing considerable concern.
Despite this, Arsenal appear to be convinced by the 23-year-old’s potential and would be ready to make a move for him, with Arteta favouring Vlahovic over Everton‘s England international Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Indeed, Vlahovic was an Arsenal target prior to his switch to Juventus, but it is reported that the Bianconeri will only agree to a deal if the Gunners offer a fee that would allow them to recoup most of the outlay to Fiorentina.
