Huge twist in Arsenal’s Dusan Vlahovic transfer pursuit

Arsenal have been in the thick of the action since January began with their narrow defeat to Manchester City now on the backburner as transfer speculation heats up.

Already this window the club have all-but arranged the departures of two players, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles set to join Roma on a simple loan deal until the end of the season.

Folarin Balogun is the other move set to be sanctioned as he closes in on a six-month loan deal to Middlesbrough in the Championship to give him first team exposure and regular senior minutes.

Incomings continue to be the talk of the town, however, as fans yearn for the blockbuster arrivals that can elevate this improving team to the next level.

Huge twist in Arsenal’s Dusan Vlahovic transfer pursuit with Fiorentina willing to accept  €70m offer and desperate to sell in January window

That generally centres around the striker position with the situation at Arsenal something of a mess with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s ongoing saga and the soon-to-be departing duo of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

The name on everyone’s lips is Dusan Vlahovic. Netting 18 goals in 22 appearances for struggling Fiorentina this term follows on from his haul of 21 in 37 Serie A outings last term, and Arsenal’s interest in the Serbian international is well documented.

Efforts have been made to lure him away from Italy with talk of a bid including Lucas Torreira that totals €70m said to have been lodged. However, the sticking point has remained that the Italian club are keen to keep hold of him until the end of the season, and that the player echoes those sentiments before assessing his options in the summer. He is also not said to be keen on moving.

Vlahovic’s representatives have been holding out for offers from clubs more in line to win trophies, but well respected New York Times journalist Tariq Panja has revealed that Fiorentina are in fact ‘desperate’ to accept an offer this window so they can accrue the €70m. Previously, I Viola were prepared to wait out the season.

Due to that, they are willing to accept Arsenal’s offer that includes Torreira, with the deal left entirely to the player’s agents to sort out.

This, of course, makes any move messy and exorbitant agent demands will crank the price higher with the 21-year-old in no rush to move mid-season. So, on that front, the player’s position hasn’t changed but the altered stance of Fiorentina puts a twist in this tale. It’s also further confirmation of Arsenal lodging a bid, which was previously somewhat questionable.

Arsenal are not alone, however, and another Premier League side have entered the mix. Who might that be?

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Barcelona & Premier League Club Register Vlahovic Interest

Indeed, Barcelona, the hideously debt-ridden club, have shown some interest. They’ve informed Fiorentina of their interest but have told the club that they need to sell before they buy (shock).

They already struggled to register Ferran Torres and Dani Alves, so their interest is unlikely to result in a legitimate approach.

And then, on Wednesday, a second Premier League club opened talks about signing the striker. The club is unnamed but said to be desperate to make a marquee signing, while they’ve also been listed as ‘silly’ enough to succumb to whatever eye-watering agent demands will be placed on a deal.

In these instances there are always clauses and commissions that representatives know they can get away with due to the quality and value of the player, and if there is any club in the Premier League that suits the bill of wanting a statement signing and that doesn’t see money as an obstacle, you’d put your house on it being Newcastle.

But if Vlahovic remains fairly unconvinced of Arsenal’s project and their chances of silverware, then he’s hardly going to be smitten by a relegation battle under Eddie Howe. Regardless of how much of a salary is involved.

As for Arsenal, the news that Fiorentina are ‘desperate’ to shift Vlahovic this summer will intensify their pursuit. He’s been in their scopes for a while and further reports from across the world of their interest – and their bid – set this up to be an interesting affair.

The obvious obstacle is, of course, convincing the player. There is no point chasing down another rabbit hole all month.

Verdict: Hearing of Arsenal’s increased desire to sign the striker – and that they are also leading the pack in terms of interest – could work in their favour when it comes to convincing the player. As far as a ‘project’ goes, surely there is no bigger one around than the one Arteta is undertaking?

If the player doesn’t want to go, though, then he doesn’t want to go. We know as much from the Manuel Locatelli saga last summer.

In terms of profile, there is an awful lot to like about a free-scoring 21-year-old in a poor side, one that is built like a house and has lots of room for tactical flexibility. At this stage, after the summer just gone, fans trust the recruitment process far more.