Why Fiorentina striker Vlahovic could snub Arsenal

Arsenal are reportedly ready to make a move for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic in January, but the Serbian could snub the pushy Londoners and send them to the back of the orderly queue of European giants.

The Gunners have, according to Sky Sport Italia, made Vlahovic their priority on the transfer market and are ready to put €80m on the table to secure the signature of the starlet.

Vlahovic has impressed with the Viola and his goal tally is currently up there with the best strikers in Europe, as only Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund starlet Erling Braut Haaland have scored more goals than him in the top five European leagues this calendar year.

Arsenal prepare big-money offer for Vlahovic in January

The Gunners want to reinforce their attacking unit and are planning for life after French striker Alexandre Lacazzette, reportedly prepared to match the Viola’s economic demands. However, they are are reportedly not convincing the player himself.

Arsenal are only one of few teams linked with the 21-year-old, who has already turned down a bumper new deal worth €4m a season at the Artemio Franchi.

Vlahovic is currently on a deal worth €800,000 a year but doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to accept an improved offer in Tuscany, most likely waiting for a better sporting project to match his ambitions on the pitch.

Fiorentina and the Serbia international’s agents are not on good terms after the recent negotiations, while President Rocco Commisso has openly discussed the current affairs in public, putting further pressure on the player.

But even if some sections of the fans have turned on the youngster, as seen at Venezia, he has continued to deliver impressive performances under new coach Vincenzo Italiano.

Arsenal are still recovering from a poor start to the campaign and trail the top four in England, whereas Fiorentina are in a similar position in Italy. The fans in London are expecting to fight at the top in England, but the fact is that the Gunners haven’t competed in the Champions League since 2016-17.

The Gunners had a streak of 19 consecutive seasons in the top European competition but are now in the fifth consecutive season without participating and are not a certainty in the Champions League in the coming years either.

Italiano reveals truth about rumours linking Vlahovic with Juventus, Arsenal and Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have been linked with Vlahovic in the past and are not expected to give up on the striker, even if Arsenal are ready to set the pace with a lucrative offer.

Fiorentina face Juventus tomorrow and the Old Lady have been mentioned as a likely destination for Vlahovic, who could provide the solution needed to provide more goals at the Allianz Stadium.

And staying in Italy would certainly be a safer choice for the youngster, who has established himself in Serie A and settled in the country after arriving from FK Partizan in July 2018.

Calciomercato.com reports Juventus are prepared to enter new negotiations with Commisso and are hoping to find a similar agreement to the one securing Federico Chiesa’s move to Turin.

But the outlet claims the Bianconeri would need to spend at least €70m to secure their man and might not have the resources to enter the battle for his signature at the moment.

Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma will also be following his situation in Florence, but the big demands from Commisso could mean he would have to wait until his contract expires to join another Serie A team.

Even if he doesn’t wait until the contract expires, he might be able to push down the asking price during the next months.

Vlahovic, capped 12 times by Serbia, has scored eight goals in 11 Serie A games and would be eager to impress once again when the Viola travel to Juventus on Saturday.