Arsenal have told Dusan Vlahovic that he has until the middle of next week to make up his mind on a proposed transfer from Fiorentina this month, according to recent reports.
football.london understands that the Gunners are pushing to sign the Serbian international as Mikel Arteta looks to find a long term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was stripped of the club's captaincy last month following a disciplinary breach.
Fellow forward Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are also in the final six months of their respective deals at the Emirates Stadium whilst Folarin Balogun is currently on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough.
Vlahovic has garnered attention from a host of European clubs by scoring 38 goals in his last 55 Serie A outings - a remarkable feat considering he is still just 21-years-old.
Now, according to La Republicca, Arsenal have demanded that the player decide whether or not he wants to join by 'halfway through next week' as the winter window deadline fast approaches.
Talks have reportedly been very slow, with little progress made and Fiorentina sporting director Joe Barone confirmed on Thursday that his agent has been difficult to deal with.
“Some English clubs have made contact with Fiorentina, but there is no agreement,” Barone told La Nazione .
“The English club want Vlahovic, but evidently he's got other ideas. We're ready to negotiate, but him and his agent won't talk.
“There have been zero openings from Vlahovic's agent", he added. "There has been zero communications [from Vlahovic's side].
“I had asked for clarity [over the player's plans] and I had told his agent to be clear with us. But there's been no contact on that front.”
