Arsenal transfer target Dusan Vlahovic decides stance on becoming Gunners’ new No 9

Arteta reflects on 'unpleasant situation' as Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy

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Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic is not convinced by the prospect of joining Arsenal in the January transfer window, according to reports. The 21-year-old, who will be out of contract at the end of next season, has been heavily linked with a move to north London in recent weeks.

Vlahovic has emerged as one of Europe’s finest young marksmen after establishing himself as a key asset for Fiorentina over the last two years.

He scored on 21 occasions in all competitions last season and has already chipped in with 17 goals since the beginning of the current campaign.

The Serbia international has reportedly turned down the offer of a new contract with the Italian heavyweights, suggesting that he could be poised to seek a new challenge elsewhere in the near future.

A number of clubs have been credited with an interest in Vlahovic as of late, including the likes of Juventus and Tottenham.

Arsenal are also said to be keeping tabs on the forward’s situation ahead of the January transfer window, with the Gunners in need of additional reinforcements at the top of the pitch.

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Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are widely expected to leave the club upon the expiry of their current deals at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang risks being frozen out by Mikel Arteta after he was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following a disciplinary breach last week.

However, it seems as though Vlahovic may not be their man, with the Fiorentina striker not overly keen on the idea of joining the Gunners, according to Eurosport.

The report claims that Arsenal are seriously considering a move after initial talks with the player’s intermediaries, but he would rather join a club with the ability to challenge in the Champions League.

Vlahovic is said to have instructed his representatives to find a destination that meets his expectations, with Juventus fitting the bill in the eyes of those in Italy.

Fiorentina are open to cashing in on their prized asset, either in January or when the summer window opens at the end of the campaign.

However, the man himself would prefer to stay at the club next month in order to challenge for the golden boot.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will eventually be able to tempt the Belgrade native into a change of scenery between now and next season.

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Former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell recently insisted that Vlahovic would be a shrewd addition to Arteta’s squad but warned that Fiorentina are unlikely to accept a cut-price offer for his services in January.

“Fiorentina want an auction and the price could go up,” Campbell told Football Insider last month.

“He is a really good player. He is a big guy with good feet who knows where the goal is. I know Spurs can talk but we need him at Arsenal.

“We need him badly. Obviously, there is the Lacazette situation. He isn’t going to sign a new contract.

“Arteta needs another striker, another star there. I think Vlashovic could be that guy. He fits the profile of player Edu and Arteta have been targeting.”

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