Dusan Vlahovic claims he never knew about Arsenal’s January offer

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has claimed he wasn’t aware that Arsenal had made him an offer in January.

The former Fiorentina forward was in high demand last winter as it had been revealed that he would not be extending his stay in Florence. Thus, La Viola were keen to sell their most prized asset in 2022 and Arsenal were certainly keen on bringing him to the Emirates.

The Gunners were reportedly willing to match Fiorentina’s hefty valuation of the player, but the young Serb opted to join Juventus, who swiftly wrapped up a €75m+ deal towards the end of the January transfer window.

Much was made of Arsenal’s failed attempt to sign Vlahovic, and many will argue that their inability to bring in a striker of the Serb’s ilk in January eventually cost them a top-four spot.

Dusan Vlahovic claims he was never aware of Arsenal’s January offer

Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, Vlahovic, said that he was never aware of the Gunners’ January offer: “Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal’s offer] but I never talked to anyone about it.”

It was a mixed end to the season for the Serbian forward following a brilliant start to life in Turin. The 23-year-old scored on his Juventus debut but a frustrating end to the campaign meant that Ciro Immobile waltzed to another Capocannoniere.

And while some believe Vlahovic made the wrong decision to snub Mikel Arteta’s exciting project in north London for the Turin giants, the player certainly isn’t questioning his decision.

“I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. There is nothing else to say. And now I feel honoured to be given this jersey. It’s incredible every time I put it on.

“I definitely identify with their DNA. The Juventus personality coincides with my personality. When you come here you never give up, you fight all the time, you make the sacrifices. This was definitely what I was looking for,” he added.

Whether Vlahovic was right to only have eyes for the Old Lady will be revealed in due course. He’ll be in the Champions League next season, but there’s no doubting that his imposing presence and ruthless efficiency in front of goal would’ve thrust the Gunners back to the promised land as well.

It’s a case of what could’ve been for Arsenal, but they have another opportunity this summer to sign a forward capable of leading their line throughout Arteta’s rebuild and beyond.