‘The choice was easy’ – Vlahovic opens up on rejecting Arsenal transfer to join Juventus from Fiorentina
DUSAN VLAHOVIC claims it was ‘easy’ to snub Arsenal for the more ‘glorious’ Juventus.
The Serbian striker was one of the Gunners’ top targets this month, as a replacement for the exiled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The 22-year-old star was set to be offered a huge salary and add-on incentives to seal a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
But he rejected a switch to North London to join the Italian giants in a £62million move.
He has already scored 20 goals for Fiorentina this term, now after penning a four-year deal at Juve, he is adamant he is ready to give everything to fire them to success.
At his unveiling on Tuesday, Vlahovic said: “I am emotional and proud to have signed for Juventus. I am ready to give my all for this glorious club to reach its objectives.
“There were many rumours about foreign clubs, but the choice was easy because the club and I have a similar DNA.
“Fight and suffer when needed. I think it’s part of my mentality as well, so the choice was not difficult. I fit in here.”
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Vlahovic added: “I want to thank the president and everyone else who made this move possible.
“I spoke to Federico Chiesa before making my decision. We were teammates together at Fiorentina. It’s a shame he’s injured, but we’ll wait for him to return.
“I want to thank everyone at Fiorentina who helped me mature and make me the player I am today. The players I admired when growing up is not so important.
“Being a role model at 22 is strange. I am still young and all that’s happening around me hasn’t sunk in yet.”
The departure of Aubameyang, who is now set to join Barcelona on a free transfer, and missing out on Vlahovic has left Arteta’s Arsenal with only soon-to-be out of contract forwards Alexandre Lacazaette and Eddie Nketiah at the club.
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