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Arsenal are reportedly turning their transfer attention towards Sergi Roberto after the versatile star was seemingly told he has no future at Barcelona.

The utility star is able to cover a wide variety of positions across the midfield or an a more coventional right-back. However, despite serving Barcelona loyally his entire career, a parting of ways seems likely.

And with his contract due to expire in June, talks over an extension are yet to see an agreement reached. His cause has not been helped by the fact he has suffered with injury this season. Indeed, Sergi Roberto has six games this season.

Perhaps more worrying for the player is that coach Xavi Hernandez is not seemingly a fan of his.

As such Fichajés are reporting that Roberto does not figure into Xavi’s plans so his exit “appears to be imminent”.

The same source claims that has alerted Mikel Arteta, who senses an opportunity to snare Sergi Roberto in a cut-price deal.

They state Arteta is prioritising his capture, having ‘requested’ to sign him. Furthermore, they state he can ‘enter the rotation’ for the Gunners in both midfield and at right-back.

Sergi Roberto one of many Gunners transfer links

Speaking earlier this month, Arteta insisted Arsenal were working hard to exploit the transfer window.

“I think with the amount of things and the way that we want to evolve the squad… We have to maximise every window in many different ways and we are alert.

“[Technical director] Edu and his team are working very hard because we know exactly what we need to do, and whether we can accomplish that in January or in the summer, is a different question as it is related to other stuff.”

It’s not known how much Barca would demand for the player. But with less than six months left on his deal, it’s unlikely to be an absurd amount.

Dusan Vlahovic transfer blow for Arsenal

Arsenal’s hopes of securing the Dusan Vlahovic transfer this month appear to be over with the striker waiting on one key factor before putting pen to paper with the Gunners.

Following extensive talks, reports on Saturday reported that a begrudging Fiorentina have ‘reluctantly accepted his sale’.

Indeed, that report claims the Gunners are willing to meet La Viola’s £58m valuation of the player. The deal will amount to a club-record sale for the Serie A side. Furthermore, the £12.5m fee to take Lucas Torreira to Florence permanently will be kept as a separate deal.

In addition, the Gunners are seemingly also willing to put up a €10m agent’s fee to push the deal through.

However, experienced journalist Enzo Bucchioni claims any move to Arsenal for Vlahovic in January looks unlikely.

Speaking to Firenze Viola, he claims it’s ‘not a question of money’ for Vlahovic, but in fact ‘winning’.

Explaining his theory further, he states: “The answer is quite simple, because the offer [from Arsenal] lacks one of the objectives that Dusan asks of his future: to win.

“It’s easy to imagine that he will go to a team that, in addition to giving him money, will also give him the opportunity to conquer sporting goals.”

Furthermore, while a transfer has not been ruled out entirely, any such deal will likely wait until the summer. Vlahovic instead now seemingly wishes to see if Arsenal can at least offer him Champions League football.

READ MORE: Diego Costa picks next club as Arsenal learn chances of short-term deal

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