Fabrizio Romano has categorically ruled out a January move for Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal, insisting Juventus will not let their star striker leave.
According to Fabrizio Romano via CaughtOffside, Juventus will not allow Dusan Vlahovic to leave the Serie A club in January and categorically ruled out any move from Arsenal for the Serb. The Gunners were heavily linked with the 22-year-old striker last January but may not need to pursue him anymore.
Dusan Vlahovic’s name is still fresh in Arsenal fans’ minds. The Serbian striker was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in January but chose to join Juventus instead of a switch to north London. He has found life difficult in Turin, with the Serie A club’s bad form affecting his own in the last few months.
Many have insisted Vlahovic took the wrong decision to join Juventus instead of Arsenal in January, as the goals have dried up. The Bianconeri have been in terrible form this season, with Massimiliano Allegri coming under increasing pressure for the results.
Arsenal wanted to sign Vlahovic in January as a direct replacement for captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Barcelona in the winter of 2022. The 22-year-old striker’s pursuit proved complicated for the Gunners, with plenty of drama surrounding his agents and the player’s desire to join Juventus.
Stories on Dušan Vlahović and links to Arsenal move for January have been described as wide of mark by sources on both sides. ⛔️ #AFC
Vlahović, only focused on Juventus and Arsenal currently very happy with their strikers. pic.twitter.com/M6wJutp1nu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 25, 2022
In recent days, links with Arsenal have emerged again. Arsenal reportedly considered a double raid on Juventus for Vlahovic and youngster Fabio Miretti. Those two may have cost Arsenal a combined €115 million next summer, but Fabrizio Romano insists there is nothing in those stories connecting the 22-year-old Serbian striker with a move to the Emirates.
The Italian journalist suggested Juventus may wait to allow Vlahovic to depart, having invested more than €75 million in the striker last January. Romano said, “At the moment, there’s absolutely nothing between Dusan Vlahovic and Arsenal. We can’t predict the future, but as of now, there’s not even direct contact,” Romano said.
“Vlahovic is a key player for Juventus, and they invested €75m plus add-ons for him, so it’s extremely unlikely. He was great last season with Juventus; this year, all the players are not performing, so it’s not likely Vlahovic’s fault that he’s not yet performed at his very best.”
The most important part is whether Arsenal are still interested in the Serbian striker. Having landed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in the summer, the Brazilian has already hit the ground running at the Emirates, scoring four times this season.
Mikel Arteta has a favourable setup as things stand and may not pursue a deal for Vlahovic in the January transfer window. However, if Vlahovic does become available from Juventus, things could change, as Arsenal may look to rekindle any possible interest in the forward, considering Jesus can play on the flanks.
