Arsenal are reportedly interested in Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski as Mikel Arteta eyes a wide attacker to bolster his squad.
According to Sky Sports Italy, Arsenal are showing an interest in signing Dejan Kulusevski, who faces a difficult period at Juventus. Mikel Arteta wants to sign a wide attacker in the summer next year to bolster his offensive options for next season.
Many had expected Dejan Kulusevski to light Serie A on fire ever since he signed up for Juventus. After impressing on loan at Parma, where he scored ten goals in the 2019/20 season, the Bianconeri paid over £30 million to acquire him from Atalanta.
He was a regular starter in his first full season, making 35 appearances in Serie A, and the Swede was expected to become a key member of Massimiliano Allegri’s side this term. However, Kulusevski has featured sporadically this season, with the manager opting to use him from the bench more often, as a result of which he has only 355 minutes to show for from 11 appearances.
Since re-joining, Allegri has changed the overall system. Juventus have become more pragmatic team from being an attacking outfit. This change of approach has cost Kulusevski a place in the squad, with Federico Chiesa and Juan Cuadrado occupying the right-wing regularly.
His lack of game time has led to him being linked with a move away, with plenty of sides showing an interest in the 21-year-old. Barcelona are understood to be keen on the Swede as they face plenty of problems on the right-wing, especially due to Ousmane Dembele’s constant injury troubles.
Tottenham are also reportedly interested, with former Juventus technical director Fabio Paratici laying the groundwork for the north Londoners. However, there’s a new entrant in the chase, with Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal keen on the winger.
Mikel Arteta wants to sign a wide attacker for next season with the future of Nicolas Pepe in doubt. The Ivorian has failed to meet expectations since signing for the Gunners in a £72 million deal from Lille. Arteta has seemingly given up on the winger as he looks at alternative options in the market.
They were recently linked with Villarreal’s Yeremi Pino, while other players are also slowly coming onto their radar. Kulusevski has qualities that Arsenal’s current wide attackers probably lack, and with his age profile fitting the club’s new transfer policy, a move could be on the cards.
Kulusevski is not the only Serie A player to be linked with the Gunners in recent weeks. There have been rumours about talks with Fiorentina for Dusan Vlahovic, although Arsenal might cede their interest and look towards alternative targets.
As for Kulusevski, he will not come cheaply, as Juventus will look to extract full value from suitors given as the Swede has a contract until 2025. If the player is put up for sale in the market, there will be more suitors for him to choose from apart from Arsenal and Tottenham.
