Arsenal have reportedly made contact with the representatives of Juventus ace Dejan Kulusevski over a potential transfer in the January window.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Football Daily), Arsenal have initiated talks with the agents of Juventus and Sweden forward Dejan Kulusevski as they eye a swoop in the upcoming transfer window.
Kulusevski has spent his entire senior career in Italy, having first arrived in the country in 2016 when he joined the Atalanta youth setup. While the youngster impressed for the club’s Under-17 and Primavera outfits, he managed just three first-team appearances. But an impressive stint on loan at Parma in the first half of the 2019/20 season was impressive enough for Juventus to sign him.
Having snapped up the Swede, the Bianconeri loaned him back to Parma for the rest of the 2019/20 campaign. He arrived in Turin at the onset of the last season but struggled to make a major impact under then-manager Andrea Pirlo, who often tinkered with the 21-year-old’s positions.
Kulusevski’s situation has hardly improved in the new campaign, with Massimiliano Allegri barely affording him starting opportunities this season. Indeed, of his 18 appearances in all competitions in 2021/22, only three have come from the start, leading to question marks over his future at the Allianz Stadium.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked heavily with a January swoop for the Swedish winger, and it seems like the former have made their first move to try and lure him to the Emirates come the winter transfer window.
Arsenal have numerous options in their attacking unit, with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Martinelli all capable of playing out wide while captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can also slot on the left-wing if need be. However, heading into January, there have been murmurs of the Gunners being ready to part ways with Pepe after his underwhelming performances.
With the Ivorian’s future at the Emirates uncertain, amid interest from several clubs, including AC Milan, it makes sense for Mikel Arteta & co. to look for a viable replacement before letting him leave. Kulusevski, to that end, has emerged as an option for the north London giants, who have made first contact with the Swede’s agent.
The update from Di Marzio also claims that Juventus would be open to a sale for a fee of around €35 million plus bonuses. It now remains to be seen if Arsenal are willing to match that valuation and land the 21-year-old when the transfer window opens for business next month.
