Real Madrid flop could be Arsenal’s Dusan Vlahovic Plan B despite Man Utd, Chelsea snubs

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

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Arsenal could be set to channel their efforts into making a late move for Real Madrid misfit Luka Jovic, who has already been passed up by the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, according to reports. The Gunners are currently on the lookout for a new striker after failing to land Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina despite launching a concerted attempt to secure his services earlier this month.

Arsenal reportedly saw a bid of around £50million turned down by Fiorentina before Juventus came in with a successful offer in the region of £62m.

Vlahovic is now believed to be in talks with the Italian giants over the finer details of his contract, with the proposed move expected to be announced before the end of the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old never appeared to be overly keen on the idea of joining Arsenal and his impending switch to Juventus will send the Gunners back to square one in their efforts to land a new first-choice marksman.

A number of alternative targets have reportedly been drawn up behind closed doors, with Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad believed to be one of several other names on Mikel Arteta’s shortlist.

However, it seems as though Jovic could soon emerge as the man for Arsenal after failing to establish himself as a regular during his time at Real Madrid.

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He has already been offered to the Gunners on a temporary basis and the club are weighing up a move for his signature ahead of next week’s transfer deadline, according to the Daily Star.

The report claims that Jovic has been made available for a loan move elsewhere by those in command at the Bernabeu after scoring just one goal in all competitions for his current club this season.

The Serbian marksman has previously been offered to a handful of Premier League clubs, with Chelsea rejecting the opportunity to bring him to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020.

The Blues were said to have doubts over his temperament and lack of form at Real Madrid and opted to look elsewhere as a result.

United made an enquiry over Jovic’s availability that same summer and were informed that he would have been very interested in the possibility of a move to Old Trafford.

However, the Red Devils never submitted an offer and ultimately chose to sign Edinson Cavani on a free transfer instead.

West Ham United and Leicester City have also been linked with Jovic in recent years, but Real Madrid have been unable to shift his salary off their books in spite of their best efforts.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will decide to chase a move for Jovic over the coming days in a last-ditch attempt to solve their problems in front of goal.

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Arteta recently admitted that he was unsure if the club will be able to push through any deals ahead of next week’s deadline but insisted that there is no shortage of work going on behind the scenes.

“In this market things are complicated,” he explained after Sunday’s goalless home draw with Burnley.

“We are certainly trying but I don’t know if we are going to be able to do it. Let’s see, it was what we planned but the market is difficult.

“It’s a lot to manage and we have to make the right decisions with players that we believe are going to help us.”

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