Arsenal get positive Vlahovic message but rule out move for Newcastle target

Arsenal’s January transfer window continues to take shape, with Mikel Arteta’s side receiving positive information from Juventus over a potential deal for striker Dusan Vlahovic.

FootballTransfers has revealed that the centre-forward remains the preferred transfer option for Arteta in the weeks ahead as the Spaniard seeks a prolific scorer to help aid the Gunners’ Premier League title push.

Vlahovic, meanwhile, has spent much of his time at Juventus unsettled, having joined the club in January 2021 after beating Arsenal to his signature.

Indeed, the Serie A side are now lining up a replacement for the 23-year-old, suggesting that Arteta may get his man this time around.

According to Fichajes, Juventus are lining up a move for Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen, with the hitman enjoying an exceptional start to the season under Xabi Alonso, scoring 11 goals and creating six more in 17 matches.

Competition for Boniface, though, is likely to be intense given his form, while the Bundesliga club are likely to be reticent to sell in January given they presently top the Bundesliga with 11 wins from 12 games.

Arsenal are also interested in signing Marcos Leonardo from Santos, but the young Brazilian would arrive with a view to the future. Vlahovic is very much the man they want for now.

Romano rules out Neves to Arsenal transfer

Arsenal will not make a January move for midfielder Ruben Neves, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed, with the Newcastle target not appearing on their transfer shortlist.

With the futures of both Jorginho and Thomas Partey uncertain, it had been suggested that they could make a loan bid for the Al-Hilal star, but Romano says their focus remains firmly fixed on Douglas Luiz in this area of the field.

“The top target is Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. There is nothing with Ruben Neves despite rumours,” he explained via his YouTube channel.

“But for Douglas Luiz, from my understanding, it’s not an easy deal. Arsenal will try, Arsenal dream of him, but it’s not something concrete.”

With Villa, who are managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, flying high in the Premier League table, just two points off the leaders, any deal with a title rival in January appears unthinkable at this stage.