Arsenal and Tottenham’s hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic have suffered a blow after the striker’s wage demands were revealed. Both the Gunners and Spurs were lining up a move for the Serbian in the January transfer window.
Vlahovic has starred for Fiorentina since joining the Serie A side from Partizan Belgrade, scoring 21 goals last season.
He has backed that up with another remarkable campaign in front of goal this term, finding the back of the net 18 times in 22 games in all competitions.
That form has seen him become one of the hottest properties in Europe, with several clubs chasing his signature.
The 21-year-old’s contract with La Viola expires in the summer of 2023, but their club president revealed back in October that he would not be signing a new deal.
That was despite Fiorentina seemingly offering him a much-improved contract that would have made him the club’s highest-paid player of all time.
JUST IN: Arsenal ‘scout cheaper alternative’ to Calvert-Lewin and Vlahovic
“As you know, Fiorentina made a very significant offer to the player. Our proposal would have made him the highest paid player in the history of the club,” Rocco Commisso said in a club statement.
“We also improved our offer on a number of occasions in order to accommodate the requests of both Dusan and his entourage. However, despite our efforts, those offers have not been accepted.
“During my time in Florence over the past few weeks, I have personally endeavoured to find a solution that would make both the player and the club happy, but I am disappointed to say that our efforts and attempts have not been rewarded.
“At this point, all that we can do is acknowledge the wishes of the player and his entourage and quickly identify feasible, appropriate solutions as we proceed with this exciting new season.”
DON’T MISS:
Newcastle’s improved XI if Vlahovic and three others join in January (ANALYSIS)
Newcastle preparing mega Vlahovic transfer to beat Man Utd and Arsenal (NEWS)
Arsenal’s Aubameyang fallout pressurises Edu to complete £68m transfer (INSIGHT)
While he will not be staying at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, it appears that the Premier League is an increasingly unlikely destination.
According to the Daily Star, Vlahovic is in serious danger of pricing himself out of a move to England due to his high wage demands.
It is stated that the Serbian would like a salary of £200,000 a week after tax, a staggering amount for a player of such a young age.
That would be on top of the expected £70m transfer fee that it would take to convince Fiorentina to sell.
The Star claim that those demands could spell the end of Arsenal and Tottenham’s interest in a January move for the striker.
It is stated that the two North London rivals, as well as title challengers Chelsea, are ‘equally reluctant’ to smash their wage structures in order to sign him.
Manchester City have also seemingly ruled themselves out of a move for him until the summer, despite the imminent exit of Ferran Torres.
That would leave Juventus as the only option for Vlahovic in January, though the Old Lady are struggling the raise the funds required to sign him.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.