Arsenal may have inadvertently handed Manchester United a golden opportunity to bolster their attack, as the Red Devils ramp up their pursuit of a new striker following ‘positive and instructive’ talks with a £67m-rated forward. The Gunners, meanwhile, are reportedly hesitant due to concerns over the player’s injury history.
United have already secured the services of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, activating his £62.5m release clause. Now, they are eyeing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, though their initial bid of £45m plus £10m in add-ons was swiftly rejected. With Tottenham also in the mix, the race for Mbeumo is heating up.
Despite these moves, securing a top-tier No.9 remains a top priority for United, especially with Rasmus Hojlund’s future in doubt. While Sporting’s Victor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike have been linked, Gyokeres appears set on Arsenal, and Ekitike’s £85m price tag may be too steep for United’s budget.
Enter Dusan Vlahovic. The Juventus striker, with 56 goals in 142 appearances for the Serie A giants, has reportedly approached United directly, eager to make Old Trafford his new home. Sources suggest Vlahovic is ‘increasingly pushing’ for the move, driven by the allure of working under Ruben Amorim and testing himself in the physically demanding Premier League.
United have wasted no time, engaging in direct talks with the Serbian forward. Described as ‘positive and instructive,’ these discussions could pave the way for a deal worth around €45m (£38.5m), making Vlahovic an attractive option for the Red Devils.
Interestingly, Arsenal had previously lost out to Juventus in the race to sign Vlahovic from Fiorentina in January 2022. While the Gunners have kept tabs on him as a potential alternative to Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, concerns over his fitness linger. Vlahovic has faced 11 separate injury setbacks during his time in Turin, raising questions about his durability.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs highlighted these concerns, telling talkSPORT: “Arsenal and Chelsea have both been cautious about Vlahovic due to his chronic groin injury. Clubs are wary of whether he can handle the pace and physicality of the Premier League.”
As the transfer window drama unfolds, all eyes are on United to see if they can secure Vlahovic and address their striking woes. Will this be the move that reignites their attack? Only time will tell.
For the latest updates and insights on football, don’t forget to check out the best football betting sites in India.
