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Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Arsenal have been told the asking price to sign Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, according to reports - a year after he opted to join the Serie A giants over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were keen on signing the Serbia international last January as Mikel Arteta looked to add a new striker to his ranks.
They continued their pursuit of Vlahovic for most of the month, but Sky Italy went on to report that his agent was not considering moves to Arsenal or north London rivals Tottenham.
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Vlahovic, described as 'unbelievable' by transfer insider Dean Jones while speaking to GiveMeSport, went on to join Juve for a fee of £62.8 million.
He has had a relatively solid start to life at his new club, netting 13 goals in 25 appearances in Serie A. But his time at Juve has been punctuated by injury - the Serbian has missed each of his side's last eight games - and he was criticised by some sections of the Italian press for his performances at the end of last season.
His future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, particularly following on from the entire Juventus board tendering their resignations in November.
Now, the Turin-based club have named their price for Vlahovic, as per a new report.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica (as per AS), Juventus are demanding a fee of €110 million to sell Vlahovic to another club.
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That would, therefore, break Arsenal's transfer record, even if they had matched Shakhtar Donetsk's €100 million asking price for Mykhailo Mudryk.
Given that Mudryk has been considered the Gunners' priority target, it would have been more likely that any move for Vlahovic takes place in the summer.
But Arsenal are still said to be on the lookout for a centre forward to cover for Gabriel Jesus's injury absence. Eddie Nketiah is the only senior striker currently at the club.
La Repubblica claimed that Arteta's side were targeting Vlahovic as their next marquee signing if a deal for Mudryk is completed, with the report published before news of Chelsea's agreement with the Ukrainian. Therefore, a move for 22-year-old Vlahovic may now be an option for the Gunners earlier than expected, and he could become an Arsenal player at the second time of asking.