Arsenal’s £66m transfer mistake comes back to bite them again as Erling Haaland claim made

Arteta gives update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day

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Juventus manager Max Allegri has compared new signing Dusan Vlahovic to Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland. Vlahovic joined Juve in the January transfer window after snubbing Arsenal and is set to make his debut against Verona in Serie A this evening.

Vlahovic got his move to Juventus following a sustained period of goal scoring for Fiorentina.

The 21-year-old striker netted 49 in 108 appearances for Fiorentina to attract the interest of many major European clubs.

Arsenal made the Serbia international their priority target in January and made an official bid, but were turned down as Juventus sealed a £66.6million deal for Vlahovic.

Juve got their man after stumping up an initial fee of £58.3m (€70m) to Fiorentina over the next three financial years, while they will also pay £8.3m (€10m) in performance-related add-ons.

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The transfer was a serious blow to Arsenal, who then failed to bring in another striker, despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving for Barcelona.

Juve boss Allegri has now rubbed salt into the Gunners’ wounds by claiming Vlahovic is on the level of Haaland.

“The club has done a great job and two important players have arrived,” Allegri said on Friday.

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“Vlahovic has scored a lot of goals and has characteristics we didn’t have and we needed him. Along with Haaland he’s one of the best centre-forwards in the role.”

Vlahovic already has 17 Serie A goals to his name from 21 appearances for Fiorentina and will look to open his Juventus account against Verona in Turin this evening.

He still has some way to go to match Haaland, who has netted a remarkable 80 goals in 79 appearances for Dortmund so far.

Haaland is likely to be on the move this summer, with a buyout clause in his Dortmund contract about to become active.

The 21-year-old can leave the German club if a club stumps up £63m (€75m).

He has been linked with several clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The Norwegian is unlikely to join Arsenal, however, despite the Gunners facing a serious striker shortage.

With Aubameyang gone and Folarin Balogun currently on loan with Middlesbrough, Mikel Arteta only has Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah at his disposal.

That situation could get even worse in the summer, with both Lacazette and Nketiah set to be out of contract on July 1.

Arsenal have been linked with Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Alvaro Morata, who is on loan with Juve from Atletico Madrid, Lille’s Jonathan David and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

But after missing out on Vlahovic, luring any of those players to north London will be difficult for Arsenal sporting director Edu.

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