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Arsenal boost as Fiorentina president reveals he’s struggling to tie down transfer target Dusan Vlahovic to new contract


ARSENAL are on alert after Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso admitted he was struggling to agree new terms with Dusan Vlahovic.

The Gunners are tracking the striker as boss Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen up front.

Striker Dusan Vlahovic banged in 21 league goals last seasonCredit: Getty

The 21-year-old has caught the eye of a number of top clubs after notching 21 goals in 37 Serie A games last term.

Atletico Madrid were even reported to have had a £51 million offer for him turned down over the summer.

The Serb is under contract at Stadio Artemio Franchi until June 2023 but Commisso revealed he has been offered a new five-year deal worth £34.6million.

Commisso said: “I don’t know if he’ll sign, let’s all just stay calm.

“We’ve been working on it for months, some days are more positive than others. I speak to Dusan and he says he’s only focussing on the pitch and I should talk to his agents, then I talk to his agents and they say I have to speak to the player.

“What I will say is that this would be the highest salary ever given to a Fiorentina player, including Gabriel Batistuta and Manuel Rui Costa.

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“I told Dusan that he is taking a huge risk not signing this deal. We are offering him a five-year contract worth €40m.

“I had to work a whole year to earn what he would in two or three days. I don’t know how football reached this stage.”

Arteta is assessing his attacking options as he attempts to maintain his side’s new momentum following a woeful start to the season.

Alexandre Lacazette is one forward who could be leaving the club in January with Arsenal considering him as part of a swap deal for Youssef En-Nesyri.

Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has another two years to run on his deal but will be 34 by the time it expires in 2023.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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