Arsenal appear to be edging towards a deal for Dusan Vlahovic, if reports are to be believed.
According to OK Calcio Mercato, the Gunners have offered €80m (£66.6m) plus bonuses for the Fiorentina sensation in an effort to secure his services - a deal that has been deemed satisfactory by the Serie A outfit.
That news will of course excite Arsenal fans, with the prospect of seeing the 21-year-old forward added to the club’s frontline especially having seen him plunder 20 goals in all competitions so far this season.
Should he be a success, Vlahovic’s arrival would certainly go a long way in the Gunners maintaining their unlikely challenge for a Champions League position come the end of the season.
Understandably, supporters will be waiting with bated breath to go out and purchase their shirts adorned with the Serbian’s name and will be keen to know what number he will select.
There are plenty of ways that the striker can earn his dream squad number at the Emirates Stadium.
Currently wearing the number nine shirt with Fiorentina, it appears slightly unlikely that Vlahovic will be granted that should he arrive in north London in the near future.
Currently occupied by Alexandre Lacazette, it is somewhat uncommon to see players change numbers in pre-season; the most recent example being Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani who conceded the number seven to Cristiano Ronaldo.
That move though did require special dispensation from the Premier League - something that the Gunners would likely have to earn. Whether Lacazette relinquishes the number though, is a different matter entirely.
However, the Frenchman continues to be linked with a move away from Arsenal amid his expiring contract. The likes of Barcelona, Newcastle United and more have been linked and should he be sold before the end of the window, then Vlahovic would of course be free to adopt the number.
Should that not happen though, the Serbian may be forced to look elsewhere, and could potentially hark back to his early days with Fiorentina.
Following his arrival from Partizan Belgrade, Vlahovic was handed the 28 shirt - a selection he eventually changed ahead of the 2020/21 season.
That number is currently unoccupied at the Emirates Stadium so could be an easy pick for the striker should he complete a move to Arsenal at some point soon.
