Arsenal are looking to fast-track their plans to sign a new striker in January, according to TEAMtalk, with Juventus reportedly ready to allow them to make a move for Dusan Vlahovic. However, signing the Serbian forward might mean Arsenal missing out on Mikel Arteta’s preferred target.
Arteta has been eyeing a new No.9 for a while, considering striker options in each of the last two transfer windows. Although Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko fell through in the summer—Sesko chose to extend his stay at RB Leipzig—the club has continued to track him.
It’s been revealed that the Slovenian remains on Arsenal’s radar for 2025. Arteta had been willing to wait, placing faith in Kai Havertz, who has taken on a more central attacking role this season.
But this week, reports have emerged that another of Arteta’s long-standing targets, Juventus striker Vlahovic, could soon be available. The 24-year-old, who recently hit his 100th senior career goal, is valued around €70 million up (£58.2 million, $75.6 million). His contract with Juventus runs until 2026, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.
According to CaughtOffside, Juventus are now considering selling Vlahovic in January if no agreement is reached, and Arsenal could be given the opportunity to negotiate for a lower price. Juventus might use the funds to go after Sesko next summer, as they are also admirers of the young striker. Both players have similar physical attributes and goal-scoring abilities, but a deal for Vlahovic would likely end Arsenal’s pursuit of Sesko.
Initially, with Havertz performing well—he has scored six goals in 12 appearances—Arsenal planned to wait until the summer of 2025 to strengthen their striker options. However, Gabriel Jesus’ struggles in front of goal—only eight goals in his last 46 games—have made Arsenal more open to making a move in January.
TEAMtalk’s Rudy Galetti reports that Vlahovic has become the striker most appreciated by Arteta. “Juventus may need to cash in, and the 30-time capped Serbian international is now seen as highly obtainable,” with contract talks reportedly at a standstill.
Galetti also shared that Juventus has presented a draft agreement to Vlahovic’s agent, Darko Ristic, but the two sides have acknowledged that there is still a significant gap in the figures. “Ristic is meeting with clubs interested in Vlahovic, and Arsenal is at the top of the list,” Galetti confirmed.
Juventus is seeking around €65-70 million for Vlahovic, but a January departure is described as “complicated.”
Alongside Vlahovic, Arsenal is still monitoring Sesko, as well as Viktor Gyokeres and Omar Marmoush. Eintracht Frankfurt may be open to selling Marmoush, but a move for Gyokeres remains tough due to his €100 million (£83.2 million, $108 million) release clause at Sporting Lisbon, which the Portuguese club has been unwilling to lower.
In other Arsenal transfer news, the club is being urged to consider former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who will be eligible to return to professional football in March 2025 after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months. A former Arsenal player suggested that Arteta could help the controversial 31-year-old reignite his career in North London.
Additionally, Arsenal is reportedly interested in Aston Villa’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Oliwier Zych, whose contract expires soon. Brighton is also keen on Zych, but Arsenal sees him as a potential long-term successor to Neto as their No.2 keeper. Jhon Duran, Villa’s in-form Colombian striker, has also been linked to Arsenal, though his high price tag could make the club think twice.
