Arsenal 'make contact' over cut-price striker deal amid Fabrizio Romano's 'highly likely' claim

Arsenal are said to be taking steps towards a striker signing with the end of the January transfer window now approaching. The majority has already passed, with the Gunners yet to spring into action despite having a huge need for a forward in the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners will get Saka back in six weeks to two months, but Jesus will be out for the season having picked up an ACL injury. Arsenal already needed a striker before that crisis at the top end of the pitch, largely struggling to score goals from open play.

A number of strikers have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Arteta has made it clear he will only move if the right kind of deal is available. Asked about the number of striker linked, he said on Tuesday: “In the summer I had a lot of people texting me saying: ‘you’re after him?’ and sometimes I don't even know what they’re talking about. I don’t follow that too much, I have enough work to do and we’ve got a lot of things on so I don’t get too distracted by it.”

In the meantime, the links continue, and a striker signing will take place at some point, according to Fabrizio Romano, who told GiveMeSport newsletter: “It’s highly likely. This is the expectation of Mikel Arteta, so I expect the club to back him and find a solution on the market even if big names are not available.”

Fresh Vlahovic links

With that in mind, Calciomercato are reporting that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is someone Arsenal have ‘made contact’ over. Juve are said to be open to a potential deal to ease their financial situation, and they are even willing to strike a deal for between £42 million to £51 million despite signing Vlahovic on a deal worth up to £65million from Fiorentina.

Arsenal have been linked with the striker on and off for some time, and if he is available for that price, the Serbian would surely fit the bill in terms of being the right kind of deal. The striker is still only 24 years of age, and he has a steady goal rate of 40 goals in 92 Serie A games, regularly contributing goals in the Champions League.