Fiorentina: We’re open to sell Vlahovic to Arsenal
FT Desk
- 23 Jan 2022 15:33 GMT
- 3 min read
Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone has confirmed that the club are open to sell Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal but says they have not received an official bid this month.
Voiola star Vlahovic has emerged over the past year as arguably the best young striker in world football after Erling Haaland and the hottest property on the January transfer market.
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The 21-year-old Serbian is the current top-scorer in Serie A and only Robert Lewandowski scored more than Vlahovic’s 33 league goals in Europe’s top 10 leagues in 2021.
Arsenal are in the market for a striker this month, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been transfer listed after disciplinary problems, while Alexandre Lacazette is set to leave the club on a Bosman transfer at the end of the season.
Vlahovic has become Arsenal’s top target this month and, according to the Daily Mail, the Gunners are prepared to fund a €180m deal between transfer fee and wages.
There have been reports in recent days that Arsenal have lodged a massive bid, worth up to €180 million between transfer fee, wages and commission.
Barone says that Fiorentina have not received an official bid but that they are open to sit down and discuss a sale at the right price.
What did Barone say about Vlahovic?
“We’ve not received any official bid for Vlahović as things stand,” Barone said.
“We’re open to discuss and negotiate.
“But we want Vlahović and his agent to be clear on the future, as they’re not answering. We need to talk about it.”
Arsenal are not the only club interested in Vlahovic as Tottenham, Man City and, particularly, Juventus are also admirers of the Serbian.
Indeed, Juve are said to be the player’s favoured destination – although the Bianconeri are unlikely to be able to afford him until the summer.
