Report: Arsenal strongly considered signing £67m star in January, but club insiders quickly got bad feeling

By Sam Preston

Arsenal had doubts over signing Dusan Vlahovic during the January transfer window before he moved to Juventus.

The Gunners let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go but did not sign a striker, keeping their powder dry and eventually coming fifth.

It is easy to look back at potential striking additions from the winter and wonder whether any of them would have made a difference.

But ESPN report that Arsenal insiders swiftly got a bad feeling about the deal and deny making a multitude of offers to sign the Serbian frontman from Fiorentina.

Arsenal had doubts over Vlahovic

Their report reads: “The Gunners held an interest in Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic but senior figures at the club have privately played down reports that multiple offers were made.

“Sources have told ESPN that the Gunners had a bad feeling about the deal early on as the 21-year-old’s representatives took several days, or often longer, to reply to initial enquiries as Arsenal explored what a deal could potentially look like.

“Vlahovic eventually moved to Juventus for £66.6 million and the strong suspicion at Arsenal is that was always the plan and other clubs were used as something of a smokescreen.“

Earlier this month, former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi spoke about why Vlahovic has not been as free-scoring since rejecting Arsenal.

He said that the team was not playing well but also that the striker had struggled to hit his previous levels after his mid-season move.

Arsenal want players who are desperate to come and play for the club and it does not tend to end well when you sign a player who you really have to convince to join.

If Arsenal can get themselves another top frontman or two in the summer, the decision to not push for Vlahovic can be judged in proper context.

Next season, a push for the Champions League slots has to be on the cards and they need more firepower to get there.