Arsenal are ‘not put off’ in their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic despite reportedly needing to commit around £150m in transfer fee and wages to a potential deal.
The north Londoners want to sign a new centre-forward this month and have Vlahovic their leading target, the Fiorentina forward having emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in Europe after a prolific period in Italy.
Mikel Arteta’s side are understood to have enquired into the cost of a potential deal, with Fiorentina prepared to cash in on the 21-year-old following his refusal to sign a new contract in Florence.
According to the Mail, the minimum transfer fee required will be around £58m, whilst the Serbia international will demand a lucrative long-term contract worth £300,000-a-week.
The report also reveals that the player’s representatives will request a separate fee of £15m, a figure which has put of prospective suitors this month.
Arsenal are ‘prepared to pay a premium’ to sign Vlahovic in January, with the Gunners in the knowledge that interest in the forward will increase this summer.
Vlahovic is the leading scorer in Serie A this season with 16 goals from 20 appearances, whilst he equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s divisional record of 33 league goals in a calendar year in 2021.
Juventus and Tottenham are also understood to be interested, but Fiorentina are reluctant to sell to the former following the backlash that followed the sales of Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi to the Turin side.
Arsenal will also reportedly need to convince Vlahovic of their project given their absence from the Champions League with the forward keen to sign for a side competing at the highest level.
