Former Arsenal transfer target now free agent after release

Former Arsenal transfer target Dusan Vlahovic is set to leave Juventus and become a free agent this summer, failing to agree personal terms to stay at the club.

TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 06: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus reacts during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) — Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Juventus Director of Football Strategy Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed that Dusan Vlahovic is set to leave the club this summer, claiming the issue is the player’s salary demands.

“I am very sad, he cared about Juve right up to the last minute,” Chiellini said.

“He is a serious professional. With these figures (for his wage demands), he won’t remain in Italy, so it is only fair and legitimate that he is seeking a different type of salary.”

Juventus' Serbian forward #09 Dusan Vlahovic reacts during the Italian Serie A football match between Torino and Juventus at the Grande Torino Stadium in Turin on April 13, 2024. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) — Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images

26-year-old Vlahovic was previously a target for Arsenal, but it seems unlikely the Gunners will be in for him on a free transfer this summer.

The striker put up decent numbers with Juventus, but he never managed a 20-goal season, and he only scored 10 this year amid some significant injury setbacks.

Vlahovic was ruled out of action at the start of December and didn’t return until mid-March, and he then missed another couple of games in April.

Juventus played out a trophyless season and finished in the Europa League spots, so it wasn’t the ideal end to the Serbian international’s spell.

CAGLIARI, ITALY - APRIL 19: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebretes his goal 2-1 during the Serie A TIM match between Cagliari and Juventus at Sardegna Arena on April 19, 2024 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images) — Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images

Yet if Chiellini is right and Vlahovic’s pay demands exceed what any Italian club will pay, it’s very possible the striker will end up in the Premier League.

The English top-flight is one of the richest in Europe at the moment, with even mid-table clubs like Chelsea or relegation scrappers like Tottenham Hotspur capable of paying big salaries.

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