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FK Partizan's sporting director Ivica Iliev has backed Arsenal to sign Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic and has claimed he is technically better than Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland.
Vlahovic has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates outfit, but Fiorentina have claimed they have not received any bids for the forward.
Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera reported that the Gunners have already made an offer in excess of £50 million, but they are not the only club interested in signing him. Serie A side Juventus are also keen on the forward.
Iliev, who has seen Vlahovic go from strength to strength at Partizan, believes the forward is destined for a top club.
"I hope, for the moment at a club where there is not too much competition, a club who will give him space – for example, I think Arsenal is one of these clubs.
"I am waiting for the moment he signs for a top top club, for me it is normal that every top club in the world wants him, I think the whole of Europe wants him, now I hope that he will sign for the best club for his career.
"He needs to choose the best place for his career because he is still so young and has a lot of years in front of him to improve and become one of the biggest and best strikers in the world."
He added:
"I always watch him and think [he's like] Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, maybe now in this moment Haaland is stronger physically but believe me, technically Vlahovic is the better player."
Arsenal hope to sign Vlahovic to aid their top four hopes
The north London club have looked toothless at times this season and need a forward who can put the finishing touches to some of their moves. Adding to their attacking woes, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been excluded from the squad by Mikel Arteta due to disciplinary issues. He has also been stripped of the captaincy and his future at the club is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Additionally, Alexandre Lacazette is in the final six months of his contract and has rejected a contract extension. He is set to leave the club in the summer.
While their young brigade of midfielders and wingers have scored a lot of goals this season, Arsenal need a quality forward who can elevate them.
Vlahovic has been in impressive goalscoring form this season, managing 17 strikes in just 21 appearances for Fiorentina. He currently leads the Serie A goalscoring charts and had recently equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record of scoring 33 Serie A goals in a calendar year.
He has the tools to succeed under Mikel Arteta, but it remains to be seen if the Gunners will be able to stave off competition for his services.
