Reports of Arsenal’s renewed interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic are everywhere, but the situation might be more complex than it seems.

Given Vlahovic’s previous rejection of Arsenal and ongoing contract negotiations with Juventus, there’s speculation that his camp could be using Arsenal’s ‘interest’ to gain leverage in those discussions.

Italian sources suggest Arsenal have rekindled their interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. This development comes as the Serbian forward enjoys a strong season despite Juventus‘ broader struggles.

However, there’s a strong possibility that Vlahovic and his agent could be using this rumoured interest to gain leverage in contract negotiations with Juventus.

History repeating itself?

It’s important to remember that Vlahovic rejected Arsenal in favour of Juventus when he initially made the move from Fiorentina in 2022. This casts some doubt on the sincerity of his current potential interest in a move to the Emirates.

Contract leverage

Vlahovic is currently under contract with Juventus for two more years. Reports indicate that the club is in negotiations with his agent to extend his stay and manage his substantial salary. Arsenal’s rumored interest, especially in the context of their need for a new striker this summer, could provide Vlahovic’s camp with a strong bargaining chip to secure more favorable terms from Juventus.

What’s next?

Whether Arsenal’s interest in Vlahovic is genuine or merely a strategic manoeuvre remains to be seen. In either scenario, Juventus needs to be cautious. They risk either losing their star striker to the Premier League or being forced into a more expensive contract extension to retain his services.