Chelsea look set to hijack Arsenal's move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic with a potential January transfer as reports state that the Blues are one of several clubs who have made "contact" with his agent. The Gunners have long been linked with a switch for the Serbia international, but missed out on him to the Bianconeri back in January.
It seemed as though their striker conundrum was solved this campaign with the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, with the Brazilian offering plenty in his all-round play. The 25-year-old even earned a call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad, but injury is set to sideline him for months.
"We look at the squad and see what options we have our with the players we have available. There are things we can try, we have the need to do so," Mikel Arteta said recently, hinting at activity in the January window. "I feel my squad is really good, and unfortunately we’ve had injuries, but we will see what we can do to be stronger."
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Vlahovic has been linked as one of those options that could replace Jesus in the short-term while potentially playing alongside him beyond that injury. The 22-year-old has seven goal involvements in 10 Serie A appearances this season for Juventus, but financial difficulties and uncertainty behind the scenes at the club may open the door to a move.
CBS Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that an exit for Vlahovic in 2023 is a "very real possibility" with a January move in particular not being ruled out. While there has been Arsenal interest, Jacobs adds that Chelsea have been in contact with the striker's agent over the availability of the forward.
Similar to the Gunners, the Blues' interest comes following a long-term injury to one of their striking options as Armando Broja injured his knee in a friendly against Aston Villa as the side gear up for Premier League action once again. It marks a long spell out for the young Albanian international, which will come as a huge blow.
"It was just an unfortunate action," Graham Potter said on the incident. "He got caught up with their player and the ground." Work now looks set for a replacement option in the window, with Vlahovic offering the chance for Chelsea to draw a blow on their rivals as well as bolster their ranks.
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