Gossip: Arsenal to offer £150m package for Vlahovic
There’s a reason some big clubs have swerved Dusan Vlahovic – but it hasn’t deterred Arsenal. Also: Newcastle’s search for strikers and defenders continue…
ARSENAL READY TO MEET VLAHOVIC DEMANDS
The FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest highlighted the work ahead for Arsenal this month, and though they clearly need a midfielder, it seems the Gunners are ready to go all out for a centre-forward…
Dusan Vlahovic is the striker they’ve got in the crosshairs and the Daily Mail says Arsenal are prepared to spend big to land the Serbia star.
Vlahovic is refusing to sign a new contract with Fiorentina but the 21-year-old is still expected to fetch around £58million, whether he moves mid-season or in the summer. Arsenal are reported to be determined to make it sooner rather than later, and they are prepared to bow to his massive wage demands.
Apparently, the Gunners are prepared to pay a salary of just over £300,000 a week so that Vlahovic trousers £160,000 after tax. His representatives also expect £15million to pave the way to the Emirates.
Ranking the 20 Premier League clubs’ record signings…
WOOD RELEASE CLAUSE REVEALED
Of course, Newcastle wouldn’t have a problem with the figures being quoted by Vlahovic’s party, but the ex-Partizan striker is said to want top-level football.
Which leaves the Toon scratching around elsewhere as they look for a centre-forward – another weakness that was exposed in the FA Cup.
The Gossip yesterday suggested Newcastle had an interest in Chris Wood, which seemed odd. Why would Burnley consider selling their best striker to a relegation rival, unless Newcastle were prepared to pay way, way over the odds?
The Telegraph has an answer to that question: it seems there is a release clause in Wood’s contract that Newcastle have got wind of.
NEWCASTLE QUOTED £50M FOR STRIKER
Newcastle have also considered moves for Divock Origi, Dominic Solanke and Eddie Nketiah, as well as Patrick Schick.
The Czech striker has been attracting interest from across Europe, and Newcastle are said to have been among the clubs to have made an enquiry.
But Sky Sports says Bayer Leverkusen have demanded £50million for the 25-year-old.
Newcastle have also been linked with a move for Steven Bergwijn. The forward is reported to have been made available by Spurs this month, with Ajax especially keen.
Telegraaf says Ajax have submitted a £15million offer and they hope to land the 24-year-old before the weekend.
But 90min says Bergwijn’s representatives are also considering loan offers, with Newcastle in the running.
MAGPIES EYE EVERTON DEFENDER
Newcastle have been custard-pied over Sven Botman, with Lille refusing to sell the defender. So the Magpies are working down their list of centre-back targets…
The Athletic says Sevilla’s Diego Carlos is one possible target, with Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile another.
Bt Give Me Sport suggests Newcastle might look a little closer to home, with interest in Everton’s Mason Holgate.
