When a three-year pursuit might finally pay off
Arsenal have been linked once again with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic as his contract approaches its expiration in June 2026. The Mirror reports that Vlahovic is a long-term target for the Gunners, who could finally complete a transfer saga three years in the making by securing him on a free transfer next summer. Arsenal first pursued Vlahovic in 2022 when he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus, missing out on a player they clearly rated highly. Now, with his contract winding down and no extension agreed, Arsenal have another opportunity to land the Serbian international without paying a transfer fee.
The appeal is obvious: Vlahovic is a proven goalscorer in Serie A, still only 25 years old, and would arrive on a free transfer, allowing Arsenal to invest their budget elsewhere while adding an elite striker. Arsenal are flying this season—currently top of the Premier League, two points ahead of Manchester City—but their forward depth remains questionable beyond their first-choice options. Adding Vlahovic would provide genuine competition and quality, addressing a position Arsenal have struggled to strengthen adequately in recent windows. Whether Juventus let him leave for free or cash in this summer remains to be seen.
Why Vlahovic fits Arsenal's needs
Arsenal need a striker who can finish chances consistently, hold up play, and contribute in multiple phases of attack. Vlahovic checks those boxes. He's a traditional number nine with modern technical ability—strong in the air, clinical in the box, and capable of linking play with midfielders. His physicality would give Arsenal a different dimension than their current forwards provide, allowing them to play more direct when needed without sacrificing technical quality. At 25, he's entering his prime years, meaning Arsenal would get his best seasons while he's still young enough to develop further under Mikel Arteta's coaching.
But there are legitimate questions about whether Vlahovic is the right fit for Arsenal's style. His hold-up play is solid but not elite, and he's not particularly dynamic in transition compared to the pace Arsenal typically deploy in attack. His finishing is clinical when given clear chances, but he doesn't create for himself consistently or drop deep to build play the way Arteta's system sometimes requires. If Arsenal are looking for a pure finisher who converts chances at a high rate, Vlahovic works. If they need someone who can do everything—press, create, finish, link play—then he's more limited than other options they could target.
The contract situation that creates opportunity
Vlahovic's contract expires in June 2026, meaning Juventus face a critical decision: extend him now, sell him this summer, or risk losing him for free next year. The Bianconeri are notoriously shrewd in the transfer market, and they're unlikely to let a player of Vlahovic's quality leave without compensation unless negotiations completely break down. That means Arsenal's best chance to land him cheaply is either convincing Juventus to sell this summer for a reduced fee or waiting until next year when he can negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs starting in January 2026.
From Arsenal's perspective, waiting until he's available on a free makes financial sense. Why pay €50-60 million this summer when you can get him for nothing in twelve months? But waiting also creates risk—other clubs will pursue him, wages will escalate in a bidding war, and there's no guarantee he actually leaves Juventus. If Vlahovic extends his contract or chooses a different destination, Arsenal waste time they could've spent securing alternatives. The smart play is probably making an offer this summer for a reasonable fee, giving Arsenal certainty rather than gambling on a free transfer that might not materialize.
The other targets Arsenal are monitoring
Arsenal aren't just focused on Vlahovic. The Mirror mentions that defenders Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) and Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) are also approaching contract expirations, making them potential targets if Arsenal want to strengthen defensively. Konate has been excellent when healthy for Liverpool, though his injury history creates risk. Upamecano is talented but inconsistent, struggling with concentration lapses that lead to costly mistakes. Both would be available on frees next summer if their current clubs don't extend them, giving Arsenal multiple options depending on where they prioritize reinforcements.
But attacking reinforcements feel more urgent than defensive ones. Arsenal's backline is solid when healthy, and they've invested heavily in that area recently. Their forward depth is shakier, and if they're serious about competing for the Premier League and Champions League simultaneously, they need more quality in attack. Vlahovic addresses that need directly, which is why he's reportedly their primary focus among the free agent class. Whether they actually land him depends on Juventus' willingness to negotiate and Vlahovic's interest in joining Arsenal over other suitors.
Why this transfer makes sense for everyone
For Arsenal, Vlahovic provides an elite striker without the massive transfer fee that typically comes with players of his caliber. That allows them to strengthen other positions while still adding genuine quality up front. For Vlahovic, Arsenal offer Champions League football, competitive wages, and a chance to play in the Premier League for a title-contending team. That's more appealing than staying at Juventus, who are rebuilding and not currently competing for Serie A titles or deep Champions League runs. For Juventus, selling this summer for a reasonable fee is better than losing him for free next year, even if they'd prefer keeping him long-term.
The question is whether all three parties can align on timing and terms. Arsenal want him cheap, either on a free or discounted transfer. Vlahovic presumably wants the best contract offer, which might come from a club willing to pay Juventus a transfer fee and use those savings to boost his wages. Juventus want to either extend him or sell for maximum value, not watch him walk away for nothing. Reconciling those competing interests is where this deal gets complicated, which is why it's been dragging on for three years without resolution. If it actually happens, it'll be because someone blinked first—either Juventus accepting a lower fee, Arsenal paying more than they wanted, or Vlahovic choosing Arsenal over higher wage offers elsewhere.
The reality check Arsenal need
Arsenal can dream about landing Vlahovic on a free transfer, but the reality is that elite players on expiring contracts rarely actually leave for nothing. Clubs either extend them, sell them, or lose them to the highest bidder in a wage war Arsenal might not win. Vlahovic could easily re-sign with Juventus if they offer him what he wants. He could choose a different Premier League club with more financial resources. Or he could go to a club willing to pay Juventus a fee this summer, giving him a bigger signing bonus and higher wages funded by the transfer savings.
Arsenal need to be realistic about their chances and have backup plans if Vlahovic doesn't materialize. Relying on a free transfer that might not happen is how you end up scrambling in late August for panic signings that don't fit your system. If Arsenal are serious about strengthening their attack, they should either pay Juventus a reasonable fee this summer for certainty or identify alternative targets they can secure if Vlahovic falls through. Waiting passively for a free transfer that involves multiple competing clubs is a recipe for disappointment, not smart squad planning.