Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners step up Dusan Vlahovic pursuit; club eyeing Joshua Zirkzee, and more - January 14, 2024
Arsenal are next in action on January 20 in the Premier League when they face Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s team have lost their last three games across competitions.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have stepped up their efforts to secure the services of Juventus attacker Dusan Vlahovic. Elsewhere, the north London side are interested in Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on January 14, 2024:
Arsenal step up Dusan Vlahovic pursuit
Arsenal have decided to turn their attention back on Dusan Vlahovic recently, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
The Serbian striker is a long-term target for Arteta, who wanted the player before he moved to Juventus in 2022. Vlahovic hasn’t set the stage alight at Turin, registering 30 goals and eight assists in 82 outings across competitions.
Arteta is planning to sign a new striker to lead the line, and the 23-year-old is once again on his radar. The north London side are considering an offer for Vlahovic, but Juventus want him to stay.
Hence, the Gunners might have to break the bank to convince the Bianconeri to part ways with their prized asset.
Gunners eyeing Joshua Zirkzee, says journalist
Arsenal are interested in Joshua Zirkzee, according to journalist Sam Dean. The 22-year-old has been on a roll for Bologna this season, registering eight goals and four assists in 22 appearances across competitions.
The Gunners are on the hunt for a new No. 9 this season, and the Dutchman fits the profile of players Arteta has targeted recently. On the Charles Watts YouTube channel, Dean said that Zirkzee is among a host of strikers being monitored by the north London side.
“I think we’ll start with start with Zirkzee. I think if he is a player – and basically what I know from numerous people now – is that Arsenal is are are closely monitoring quite a few strikers in Europe and he is definitely one of them they’re keeping an eye on.
"Whether that means they can make an offer for him this month I don’t know,” said Dean.
He added:
“I think it’s probably unlikely at this stage still when they can make an offer for him in the summer, maybe a different issue or maybe he’s one of the ones on the list that they could consider for the summer.
"All I know is he’s definitely a player they like and they admire and as I said in the story I think it’s still pretty unlikely that a January move can happen. I think for January what needs to happen really for Arsenal is is for the dominoes to fall.”
Zirkzee’s contract with the Italian side runs till 2026.
Arsenal backed to reinforce backline this month
Journalist Dean Jones reckons Arsenal will bring in a new defender this month. The Gunners invested heavily in the squad last summer but have endured a recent blip in form.
Defeats to West Ham United, Fulham and Liverpool have dampened the mood at the Emirates. Arteta is expected to indulge in the transfer market to get his team firing on all cylinders.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones insisted that the north London side don’t have a lot of money to spend on new faces right now.
"They haven't got a lot of money to spend, but they will put some money into a defender if they have to. So I do think it's worth being open-minded about who that might be.
"I don't think this is going to be like Arsenal going out and signing the best full-back in the world, I think it's going to be somebody that they look to have as a squad player, but somebody that can grow into their team,” said Jones.
He continued:
“So certainly something to look out for, because at a time when all the talk is about how much they need a forward, the reality is the first signing through the door will probably be a defender."
Arteta spend big money on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber last summer.