‘Destined for Arsenal’ – Arteta backed to pip Tottenham to €30m winger
Arsenal are ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign a Serie A winger in a move that could have implications on the future of in-demand marksman Dusan Vlahovic, according to a report.
With Italian pair Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici occupying prominent roles in the Tottenham system, few would be surprised to see Spurs target Serie A in the transfer market. Indeed, Tottenham were recently linked with raiding Juventus for Swedish winger, Dejan Kulusevski.
The 21-year-old was reported by Italian outlet Calciomercato to be on Juventus’ chopping block. Selling Kulusevski would be phase one in their plan to snag Fiorentina’s free-scoring striker Dusan Vlahovic.
So far, under Max Allegri, Kulusevski has made just two starts in Serie A. He is yet to score in the competition, although he does have one goal to his name from one of his four substitute appearances in the Champions League.
In recent months, his Juventus future has taken a dramatic turn. When Paratici was working for the Serie A side, he protected Kulusevski as one of only two non-transferable players in the Juve squad (along with Matthijs De Ligt).
A Tottenham raid would scupper the Old Lady’s plans. A Vlahovic deal is seemingly dependant on Kulusevski moving to Fiorentina as bait at present. However, a new update from the Italian media has suggested both Spurs and Juve could be left disappointed.
Writing in his column for TuttoMercatoWeb, journalist Enzo Bucchioni first confirmed Juventus’ intentions to send Kulusevski to Fiorentina to help facilitate their move for Vlahovic.
However, that’s where English interest from Tottenham and Arsenal comes in.
Bucchioni noted (via Sport Witness) Spurs’ interest in the Swede, but claimed Kulusevski is ‘destined’ for the Gunners. Adding further fuel to the fire, he claimed a ‘€30m’ bid will seal a deal.
Arsenal may indeed be on the lookout for reinforcements in the attacking areas this winter. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could both be solid in January. That would represent the final opportunity to generate a fee before their contracts expire next summer.
That would scupper Juventus’ plan to land Vlahovic, thereby opening the door to the Serbian’s other suitors. Coincidentally, Vlahovic has been linked with the north London pair, as well as Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Meanwhile, an Arsenal midfielder has revealed he wishes to leave the Gunners and permanently join the side where he is currently “comfortable” at on loan.
Somewhat surprisingly, Matteo Guendouzi is producing the performances of his life on loan with Marseille. But despite holding a contract that runs until the summer of 2023 and Arsenal trending in the right direction under Arteta, Guenzoudi’s latest comments suggest he won’t be back in north London.
Via Goal, Guendouzi stated Marseille is the club where he wants to “project himself into the future”. Furthermore, he hinted he has already held talks over a permanent deal with Marseille before joining on loan.
“Today, I am on loan and still bound by my contract at Arsenal,” said Guendouzi. “But I’m totally focused on what to do with Olympique de Marseille. And yes, it’s a club with which I want to project myself into the future and I want to join in the long term.
“These are discussions that I had already had with the club before signing and I feel very comfortable there. And that’s why I want to continue to have fun at Olympique de Marseille.”
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The Athletic reported in July that Marseille had an ‘obligation to buy’ Guendouzi as part of their loan deal. That was later revealed to in fact be an option to buy by the Daily Cannon (citing the Evening Standard).
However, the conditions that need to be met for his deal to become permanent are apparently easily ‘achievable’. As such, Guendouzi will likely have already played his last match for Arsenal.
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