Arsenal’s relentless attempts to land Fiorentina whizz-kid Dusan Vlahovic appear to be dead in the water, with the striker left out of the matchday squad amid a Covid-19 outbreak at the Artemio Franchi. Per Football London, the 21-year-old has tested positive for coronavirus, throwing his potential January move to the Premier League into doubt.
Vlahovic has emerged as Arsenal’s top transfer target this winter, with Mikel Arteta’s recruitment team frantically searching for a long-term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international has no future in north London after being stripped of the club’s captaincy in December, courtesy of a ‘disciplinary breach’ at the Emirates.
The Gunners have not wasted time pursuing a new out-and-out striker, landing their eyes on the current Serie A top goalscorer. After racking up a whopping 20 goals in 23 games for Fiorentina this season, Vlahovic has drawn a host of enquiries from several top European clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham.
In addition to the aforementioned London heavyweights, Inter and Juventus are also in the race for the Serbia international’s signature. However, Arsenal’s financial capacity seems likely to blow the Italian suitors out of the water, suggesting Vlahovic’s future could be lying in the Premier League.
Though the Londoners were desperate to pull off the transfer in January, they could miss out on the 21-year-old’s arrival in the latest turn of events. After testing positive for Covid-19, Vlahovic faces a race against time to seal his blockbuster switch to England, throwing Juventus’ hopes of hijacking the move in the summer a lifeline.
But the striker’s absence will inflict a massive blow on Fiorentina’s efforts to maintain the pressure on fourth-placed Atalanta. La Viola will take on relegation-threatened Cagliari at the Sardegna Arena on Sunday without several key first-team players, including Vlahovic.
Yet, Vincenzo Italiano’s men will draw confidence from an overwhelming 6-0 home win over Genoa last time out.