Arsenal 'refusing' to offer more than £35m as Edu plans to launch new assault for striker

Arsenal could intensify their interest in landing a new striker during the January window after they drew a blank in front of goal against West Ham on Thursday evening. Mikel Arteta’s team, who were defeated 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, have reportedly renewed their interest in signing Dusan Vlahovic – but Gunners transfer chief Edu is reportedly refusing to pay more than £35million for the Juventus player.

Arsenal have had a long-term interest in Vlahovic and were linked with the 23-year-old while he was still plying his trade for Fiorentina. Vlahovic eventually signed for Juventus in a £66m deal in January 2022 and has gone on to make 78 appearances for the Italian side. But Arsenal could be about to make another move for the ace.

According to Italian outlet TV Play, Arteta would like another striker and has identified Vlahovic as the player he wants to sign. But there is a difference in valuation between the two clubs as his current employers value him at over £52million minimum, more than £17m more than Edu is willing to pay.

Vlahovic was prolific in front of goal during his time at Fiorentina and racked up 38 Serie A goals during his final 18 months at the Artemio Franchi Stadium. But he has faltered at times in a Juve shirt and has only contributed 29 goals in all competitions since his move.

Before Christmas, TUTTO Mercato reported that Vlahovic had no interest in leaving Juventus despite being linked with a move away. And the player, who has netted 13 times in 25 matches for Serbia, wants to prove he has what it takes to succeed at the Allianz Stadium.

Arsenal dominated their encounter with West Ham as they attempted to leapfrog Liverpool and return to the top of the table but came out second best as Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos netted for the Hammers before Said Benrahma saw a late penalty saved by David Raya.

And following the match, Arteta told reporters: “This is football. You know what we’ve done in the game, how much we generated in the game. And to see the result is very disappointing.

“But they were better than us in both boxes. They had two shots, with the penalty three. We had 30. I don’t know how many touches [we] had in the box, how many situations, how many open goals to score. And we haven’t [scored]. In football you have to do better if you want to win.”