Dusan Vlahovic is now a free agent after his Juventus contract expired on July 1, 2026, opening the door for Arsenal to finally sign the Serbian striker four years after he turned them down. The 26-year-old's move to Juventus in 2022 was labeled "sensationally wrong" by former Italy striker Antonio Cassano, who believed Vlahovic needed an intermediate step like Arsenal before joining a top club.
Vlahovic's Juventus Stint and Arsenal's Missed Opportunity
Vlahovic left Fiorentina in a £66 million transfer in January 2022, with Arsenal reportedly lodging a £60 million offer that summer. However, he chose Juventus, stating at the time: "I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus." Over four seasons in Turin, he scored 68 goals and provided 16 assists in 168 appearances, averaging a direct goal contribution every other game. Despite his productivity, he was sparsely used in his final season, starting only 13 of 23 appearances while still scoring 10 goals.
Antonio Cassano's Criticism and Vlahovic's Response
Speaking on Christian Vieri's Twitch channel Bobo TV in 2022, Cassano said: "In my opinion, [Vlahovic's decision] is sensationally wrong. For the type of player I think he is, he needed to make an intermediate step to a team like Arsenal, Tottenham, or Sevilla." Vlahovic responded to the criticism in an interview with The Telegraph, saying: "Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal's offer], but I never talked to anyone about it. I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. I definitely identify with their DNA. The Juventus personality coincides with my personality."
Arsenal's Current Striker Situation
Arsenal won the Premier League in the 2025-26 season, their first title in 20 years, with Viktor Gyokeres as their leading striker and Kai Havertz impressing when fit. However, adding depth behind Gyokeres could be prudent, and Vlahovic's free-agent status makes him an attractive option. At 26, he is still in his prime and remains one of the most valuable free agents on the market.
Financial Hurdles and Potential Deal
Any deal will depend on Vlahovic's wage demands, which reports suggest may be considerable. However, if he is willing to make sacrifices to engineer a move that has been almost half a decade in the making, Arsenal could finally land the striker they once coveted.
