Edu told summer deal for £60m striker is on for Arsenal as journalist rates prospects of January transfer
Arsenal’s prospects of signing Dusan Vlahovic in January have been dismissed by a journalist – but their prospects of securing a £60m summer deal seemingly rate far better.
The Gunners are currently exploring ways to strengthen their squad in the January window. Mikel Arteta’s side are currently top of the Premier League but missed the chance to further the distance between themselves and Manchester City after a 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Tuesday night.
And with City in action away to Chelsea on Thursday evening, that gap could be reduced to five points again.
However, Arsenal’s title prospects burn brighter than they ever have done in any of the last 19 seasons. And in order to go the distance this season, Gary Neville has advised the club to push through two signings this month.
The main concern for Arsenal surrounds adding an extra option up front. Their efforts to sign Shakhtar’s Mykhaylo Mudryk are well documented, though there appears some distance between the two clubs’ valuations.
And with Chelsea in danger of beating them to the punch, Arsenal are reportedly turning their focus towards a Mexican alternative.
The main cause for alarm at Arsenal is that their bench offered very little options on Tuesday evening. In the light of Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury – which is likely to sideline him until late March – the Gunners lack the necessary firepower.
By means of addressing that directly and bringing in a new No 9, Arsenal are reportedly also casting their eye over Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker was a target for Arsenal last January, only for the the player to move to Juventus.
Chelsea also keen on striker
And while he has a decent record in front of goal with the Bianconeri, reports claim they could cash in. And that, in turn, has led to fresh reports that Arsenal launch a fresh move.
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs claims there is a very real chance that Vlahovic could leave Juve this month.
However, he states it is Chelsea who are putting in the groundwork over a potential swoop.
Jacobs said in December: “It’s actually Chelsea, from a Premier League point of view, making inquiries at this point. We know they need a striker as well.
“But I think everybody chasing Vlahovic needs to understand, is January possible, first and foremost? And then if it isn’t, what do they need to do to persuade him to move to the Premier League in January? What can clubs learn from the Arsenal situation?
“And also, what is his injury situation? Because right now, if you get him in January, he’s got a groin problem that is still under investigation. But Chelsea are looking a bit more seriously at him. They obviously need a striker because of the Armando Broja situation.”
Arsenal chances of Dusan Vlahovic assessed
However, another journalist, Dean Jones, reckons any hopes of an Arsenal deal this month are “slim to none”.
But he does think a summer switch is very much on the cards for the Gunners.
“I’m still told the chances of getting Vlahovic in this window are slim to no chance,” Jones told GiveMeSport.
“But at the end of the season, if Arsenal maintain this kind of form they will be capable of pretty much anything in the transfer market.
“Huventus are very unsettled at the moment. And I think there is a very real chance top talent will be available from them in the summer.”
