Real Madrid are reportedly uninterested in selling Serbian striker Luka Jovic, who is a summer transfer target for Premier League giants Arsenal.
According to a report from Spanish publication AS, Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Serbian centre-forward Luka Jovic, as Real Madrid have no intentions of selling the 22-year-old in the summer transfer window.
Jovic arrived at Real Madrid in a big money move last summer, after a spectacular season with Eintracht Frankfurt last time out. However, it hasn’t exactly worked out for the Serbian international at the Santiago Bernabeu. So far in 24 matches across all competitions, the 22-year-old has scored just two goals and assisted two more.
To be fair, Jovic hasn’t gotten regular opportunities in the starting XI, owing to the presence of Karim Benzema. However, when trusted with the responsibility of leading the line, the former Eintracht Frankfurt man hasn’t been convincing enough.
This had cast doubts over the immediate future of Jovic at Real Madrid. His recent transgressions, when he broke lockdown rules in Spain to meet his girlfriend had only served to fuel the speculations. And Arsenal have emerged as potential suitor for the Serb.
The Gunners are staring at the possibility of losing star striker and club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer. The 30-year-old will be entering the final year of his contract with Arsenal at the end of the season. With the prospect of Champions League football at the Emirates looking bleak, many clubs are lining up to snap up the Gabonese striker, including Real Madrid.
Should that happen, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had reportedly narrowed down on Jovic as a potential candidate to take over from his captain next season. However, any hopes of signing the 22-year-old in the summer have been dealt a blow as Real Madrid have no intention of offloading him in the summer.
“Luka is at the perfect age to grow as a footballer and as a person, he signed a contract until 2025 and we are counting on him,” a club source told AS.
Jovic may have struggled in his debut season in Spain, but his exploits last season are an indicator of the potential that the 22-year-old possesses. And with Karim Benzema not getting any younger, Real Madrid need to strengthen their attacking department and not deplete their resources further.
Giving the Serbian international more time to get adjusted to life at the Spanish capital club makes sense at the moment. As far as Arsenal are concerned, if they are unable to hold on to Aubameyang in the summer, they will have to look elsewhere for a replacement.
