Arsenal: £66m star 'made right decision to reject' Emirates move | OneFootball

Arsenal’s success this season has not convinced Juventus and Serbia striker Dušan Vlahović that he made the wrong decision rejecting a move to the Emirates Stadium to joinMikel Arteta’s side last January, according to Football Transfers writer Carlo Garganese.

The 22-year-old has been in Qatar this month as part of Dragan Stojković’s Orlovi squad that exited the tournament at the group stage.

Arsenal transfer news – Dušan Vlahović

According to Football.London back in January, the Gunners’ technical director Edu was doing everything in his power to try and convince Vlahović, then of Fiorentina, to make the move to the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Serbian forward eventually decided to remain in Italy, by joining Serie A giants Juventus in a deal that could eventually be worth £66m, according to BBC Sport.

It could be suggested that the striker, who has scored 88 club goals in his career according to Transfermarkt, could be regretting that decision with the Gunners currently top of the Premier League table, whilst Juventus sit third in Serie A, ten points behind the league leaders Napoli.

However, Garganese has suggested that Vlahović is still happy with his decision not to join Arsenal, even if the Old Lady have also been knocked out of the Champions League and will have to participate in the Europa League in the new year.

What has Garganese said about Vlahović?

Garganese told GIVEMESPORT: “Vlahović’s agent has come out and said that Vlahović is happy and that he still believes that he made the right decision in rejecting Arsenal. Arsenal wanted to sign him in January, but he rejected Arsenal to sign for Juventus. Despite Arsenal doing so well this season and Juventus not doing very well, Vlahović still believes he made the right decision.

“I think it’s unlikely [Vlahović leaves Juventus], but you can never say never. If Vlahović was to have a really bad next six months, or if Juventus somehow fail to qualify for the Champions League and they were to have to make a financial sacrifice, then maybe he could. But I would say it’s very unlikely at the moment.”

What next for Vlahović and Arsenal?

Whilst Arsenal are having an excellent campaign at the top of the Premier League, the club would still likely accept the services of Vlahović at the Emirates if push came to shove, with the striker having scored 16 goals and provided four assists in his 36 appearances for Juventus, according to Transfermarkt.

As for the former Gunners target, his current focus will be on helping Juventus secure a Champions League place for next season, with a title charge unlikely given that they are ten points of leaders AC Milan in the Serie A table.

The striker endured a disappointing first two games on the world’s biggest stage, playing in 24 minutes of Stojković’s side’s 2-0 defeat to Brazil, but was brought in for Serbia’s final group stage clash and scored in a 3-2 defeat to Switzerland.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Vlahović’s future on his return to Juventus after the World Cup but for now, he will be focused on putting in a good showing for the Old Lady as he looks to continue his impressive campaign.