VERONA, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Dusan Vlahovic of ACF Fiorentina looks dejected during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 22, 2021 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

VERONA, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Dusan Vlahovic of ACF Fiorentina looks dejected during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 22, 2021 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

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Dusan Vlahovic: 3 reasons Arsenal shouldn’t sign striker

by Ross Kennerley
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Dusan Vlahovic: 3 reasons Arsenal shouldn’t sign Fiorentina striker in January transfer window as Mikel Arteta remains determined to push through signing. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

Arsenal are persistent, you’ve got to give them that. Despite being told they’ll have to pay a premium and that the player hasn’t been fully convinced of the project, the boat is being pushed out. They need a striker.

Dusan Vlahovic is a wanted man. Nowhere is he more wanted than at Arsenal.

It started with Arsene Wenger’s interest back in 2016 when the striker was at Partizan Belgrade, reemerged again around ten months ago during Mikel Arteta’s reign, and has caught fire now. Arsenal are determined.

Netting 23 goals in 28 senior appearances for Fiorentina and Serbia this season, the 21-year-old’s elite ball striking technique has contributed to his outstanding scoring rates. Throw in pure physical authority, excellent close control and variation to his movement and there is so much to like.

Dusan Vlahovic: 3 reasons Arsenal shouldn’t sign Fiorentina striker in January transfer window as Mikel Arteta remains determined to push through signing

Vlahovic can run the channels with deceptive pace, drop off to connect play with neat one-touch actions or hold up and then get on his bike to follow up in the box. It’s no wonder Europe is on red alert, especially since his numbers have come in a bang average Fiorentina side who’ve only recently started to pick up some form.

But he’ll be expensive. Very expensive.

The deal as we know it will cost around £58m in transfer fees, £160k-per-week wages (£300k before tax), and an extortionate £15m in agent fees. Arsenal are determined to land their man regardless of how difficult, or lavish, the operation will be.

Are there any red flags being raised here? He may be a special talent, but there are causes for concern that probably should deter the club from making this move.

They proved everyone wrong in the summer though, so shouldn’t we trust them? It’s just hard to look past certain aspects. And even if they don’t definitively rule out the signing, they are factors that must be considered.

Call it playing devil’s advocate

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VERONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 22: Dusan Vlahovic of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 22, 2021 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

1. Vlahovic Deal Sets Dangerous Precedent

No part of the deal stands out more than the hideous size of the fees that will go straight into the pockets of the agent, Davide Torchia, and his camp.

Boasting a selection of clients from Serbia, Vlahovic’s agent has hit the jackpot. He’s in dreamland. He has a player on his books who could pocket him more than he’ll make in years in one fell swoop.

He’s getting greedy. He sees green and his name up in lights. This deal has now been handed over to the player and his representative and the amount Torchia is able to dictate has entered into farcical territory. Wanting a full £15m to sign the 21-year-old off, if Arsenal are to agree to such demands then they’re setting a dangerous precedent moving forward.

Next time they want to sign a player, perhaps even the midfielder they want in this window, other agents will see what Torchia managed to profit from the transfer and feel there is no reason why they shouldn’t be earning big bucks.

There are agents who are a disease in football and what may be £15m right now could spiral into something else further down the line. It’s a huge shame, since this has nothing to do with Vlahovic, but it raises multiple alarm bells and has a strong whiff of desperation about it.

Continued on next page…

Next: Reason #2

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