‘My understanding’: Charles Watts plays down Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal talk

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Reports of Arsenal making a move in January for Fiorentina striker, Dusan Vlahovic, are wide of the mark as things stand, according to respected Gunners journalist, Charles Watts.

The Gunners were credited with a keen interest in Vlahovic as little as just over a week ago. Di Marzio claimed that talks were already underway, and that the Gunners could be willing to pay around £68m for the striker.

Since then, things have cooled a bit. Indeed, even Tottenham have been linked with Vlahovic since that report. It does seem, then, that Vlahovic’s agents are trying to garner interest.

And according to Charles Watts, Arsenal fans shouldn’t be getting too excited when it comes to Vlahovic.

“My understanding of it is – and I tweeted this out – is he’s not one of Arsenal’s targets when it comes to a new striker. A lot of the talk is about January and from what I understand, it’s not happening,” Watts said on his YouTube channel.

“There is certainly reasons why it’s good for Fiorentina that Arsenal want him. But as far as I’m aware, there’s been no talks and negotiations.”

Watts goes into more detail on his channel. But the message is clear so far in that the Gunners haven’t directly gone in for Vlahovic as yet.

TBR’s View: If Dusan Vlahovic is available, Arsenal have to be involved

Watts makes a point on his video of this being agents putting their client’s name out there. And he’s probably got a really valid point. For them, it’s all about cashing in for as much money as possible. In the summer, for example, they wanted around £77m.

In terms of Arsenal, their supporters will be disappointed not to see Edu and Arteta involved here. On paper, Vlahovic is everything Arsenal need in a new number nine.

Time will, of course, tell. But for now, it seems odd if Arsenal are simply not involved at all.