Dusan Vlahovic's stance on January exit as Arsenal weigh up £67m transfer offer

DUSAN VLAHOVIC has been linked with a move to Arsenal next month.

In pictures: Man Utd v Arsenal

ARSENAL transfer target Dusan Vlahovic would not want to leave Fiorentina in the January transfer window according to reports. Mikel Arteta’s side have been one of the Serbian’s biggest admirers, after his sensational start to the Serie A season.

The 21-year-old centre-forward has already hammered home 12 goals in 15 Serie A appearances for La Viola.

His ruthless precision in front of goal has entrenched himself as one of the most in-form strikers in world football at this current moment.

He recently overtook Lazio captain and Italian international Ciro Immobile in the Serie A top goalscoring charts, having scored seven goals in his last five matches.

However, Italian journalist Enzo Buccioni has claimed in his Firenze Viola column, Vlahovic will not accept a transfer in January, as he wants to finish the season at Vincenzo Italiano’s side.

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Dusan Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic has been in electric form for Fiorentina this season (Image: Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

While the Serbian hitman appears reluctant to depart Italy in January, an exit from the Artemio Franchi Stadium still looks likely.

Vlahovic’s agent reportedly held discussions with the Serie A side’s leaders very recently.

Unfortunately, Fiorentina did not get the answer they were looking for as Buccioni claims Vlahovic is not willing to sign a new deal with the club.

His current contract at the club expires in the summer of 2023, meaning next season will likely be Fiorentina’s last chance to sell their prised asset for big money.

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However, it is also understood Fiorentina may consider selling the 21-year-old in January, even if he does not sanction the move.

Whether it is in the winter or the summer, it is also understood Arsenal will be one of the sides jostling for his signature.

The Gunners are reportedly weighing up the prospect of launching an enormous £67m bid for the striker, as they intensify their search for a new striker.

Arteta and Arsenal technical director Edu did their best to sign a new centre-forward last summer and were regularly linked with an audacious move for Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.

Unfortunately, the prospects of a move for the Argentinean were rendered impossible, after Inter sold his former striker partner Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea for £98m.

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Mikel Arteta

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images (Image: Mikel Arteta has been on the lookout for a new goalscorer since the summer)

However, it appears they have since turned their attention to Vlahovic, amidst his outstanding from in Serie A this season.

They will have to battle with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich, who are also believed to be knocking on Fiorentina’s door.

Bayern, especially, could be Arsenal’s most formidable opposition for his signature.

Bucchioni claimed Julian Nagelsmann’s side are ‘ready to overcome’ any bid submitted by the Gunners, as they seek a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

The imperious Polishman, who finished second in this season’s Ballon d’Or rankings, said he wanted to leave the Allianz Arena to pursue a new challenge last summer.

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