Arsenal have made a first bid for a sensational striker but have had their loan offer for the international hitman rejected by the Serie A giants.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has encountered an early setback after their initial bid for the Serbian forward was rejected by the Italian club. Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, is seeking to bolster their attacking options, particularly after some disappointing results in the season’s first half, including an early FA Cup exit to Manchester United, a defeat in the Carabao Cup to Newcastle, and a disappointing Premier League draw against Brighton. Arsenal, still dealing with injuries to key players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, is in urgent need of a quality striker to ensure they remain competitive in the second half of the campaign. Arteta, who had shown interest in Vlahovic before, has decided to revisit the possibility of bringing the Serbian international to North London.

Vlahovic had previously been a target for Arteta, but Juventus secured his signature in January 2021, completing a transfer worth €83.5 million from Fiorentina. At the time, Arsenal missed out on signing the 24-year-old, and while Vlahovic’s time at Juventus has not been as smooth as expected, Arteta has continued to admire his abilities. With their current injury woes, Arsenal have now returned to Vlahovic, offering a loan deal to Juventus, which they hoped would be sufficient to bring the striker to London for the rest of the season. However, Juventus swiftly rejected this loan offer. The Serie A club, intent on either selling Vlahovic outright or securing an obligation to buy as part of a temporary move, made it clear that they were not interested in a loan without a firm commitment to a future purchase.

Arsenal’s situation is complicated by the fact that Juventus is in the process of lining up a potential deal for PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani. Should that transfer materialize, Juventus may be more inclined to sell Vlahovic permanently or at least force a buy clause into any loan arrangement. Given this, Juventus is reportedly content to wait until later in the transfer window, hoping for additional interest from other clubs that could drive up Vlahovic’s price or generate better offers. Arsenal, on the other hand, has not entirely ruled out pursuing Vlahovic later in the month, particularly if Juventus becomes more flexible with their terms.

The rejection of Arsenal’s initial loan bid does not end their pursuit of the player. Although Arteta’s preference seems to be securing a forward for the long-term, the circumstances might force him to act sooner rather than later. Arsenal had previously been offered Vlahovic by Juventus for a fee of around €55 million, and while that offer was not immediately accepted, it remains a potential option for the Gunners. However, Arsenal has made it clear that their immediate plans do not involve committing to a major financial outlay this winter, especially since Arteta is also eyeing a move for another striker in the summer.

The forward that Arteta has earmarked as his primary target is Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. The Slovenian international is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young talents, and Arsenal had been in the running to sign him last summer, though Leipzig ultimately managed to retain him. Sesko is not available for a transfer this January, as he is under contract at Leipzig until the end of the season. However, Arsenal is positioning itself to make a move for Sesko in the summer, when they can trigger his release clause. While Sesko remains their top priority, Vlahovic’s potential arrival on a six-month loan could influence the situation. Should Vlahovic impress during his loan spell, Arsenal may find themselves more inclined to make his stay permanent, potentially ahead of Sesko, who remains a long-term target.

Despite the emphasis on Sesko for the summer, the immediate need for attacking reinforcements is undeniable. Gabriel Jesus’ ongoing injury troubles have left a significant void in Arsenal’s forward line, while Bukayo Saka’s absence has further exposed the team’s lack of depth in attack. Arteta has therefore been forced to look at all potential options, including Vlahovic, who is known for his clinical finishing and physical presence in the box. The prospect of signing Vlahovic on loan for the remainder of the season would suit Arsenal’s financial constraints and allow them to assess whether the player can add the necessary firepower to their attack. If the deal proves unsuccessful, they could simply send him back to Juventus in the summer without a long-term commitment, at which point they could refocus their attention on Sesko or other alternatives.

However, negotiating a deal with Juventus that aligns with Arsenal’s preferred terms has proved difficult. Juventus is determined to extract value from Vlahovic, especially with the club seeking to balance its books amid ongoing financial pressures. The Serie A club’s rejection of Arsenal’s loan offer suggests they are unwilling to entertain a deal without a future obligation, reflecting their intent to either recoup a significant portion of the €83.5 million they spent on Vlahovic or ensure that the striker’s future is firmly settled before allowing him to leave.

As the January transfer window progresses, the situation could change. Juventus may be forced to reconsider their position if Arsenal continues to push for a loan deal, or if other interested parties enter the race for Vlahovic. Arsenal’s flexibility in terms of negotiating a deal could also play a role, as the club might look to structure a deal in a way that satisfies both parties. While Arteta’s preference is to secure a long-term solution in the summer, the need for immediate reinforcements in attack cannot be ignored. The situation is fluid, and there is still a possibility that a deal could be struck before the end of the transfer window.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Vlahovic is just one of several transfer stories currently dominating the headlines. The Gunners are also involved in negotiations with other clubs, exploring opportunities to strengthen their squad in a number of positions. In particular, the club is looking to bolster their midfield options, with reports suggesting that they are closing in on a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, a player who has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time. If successful, such a deal would further demonstrate Arsenal’s intent to build a squad capable of challenging for major honors, both domestically and in Europe.

As for Vlahovic, his future remains uncertain. Juventus has made it clear that they are not in a rush to sell, especially given the ongoing interest in their prized striker. Whether Arsenal can successfully negotiate a deal, whether on loan or with an obligation to buy, remains to be seen. For now, Arteta will continue to weigh his options, knowing that the winter transfer window offers a crucial opportunity to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season. Arsenal fans will be eagerly watching to see whether the club can pull off a deal for Vlahovic or whether they will turn their attention elsewhere as they search for the right player to help them in their quest for success.

In conclusion, Arsenal’s interest in Dusan Vlahovic is far from over, but the club faces significant challenges in securing his signature, especially after Juventus rejected their initial loan offer. While Arteta remains keen on Vlahovic, his focus is also on other targets, particularly in the summer, with Benjamin Sesko emerging as the long-term priority. As the January window progresses, the situation may evolve, with both clubs potentially finding a middle ground on the terms of the deal. For now, Arsenal’s search for a striker continues, and fans will be hoping that the club can navigate the complexities of the transfer market to bring in the right reinforcements.