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Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Lionel Messi has already told Arsenal why they should complete Luka Jovic transfer in January

Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi has previously given a glowing verdict of Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, who has been linked with Arsenal in recent times.

football.london understands that The Gunners have been offered the chance to sign Jovic on loan from Los Blancos, with their pursuit of Fiorentina centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic looking unlikely as Serie A giants Juventus reportedly are keen to sign the Serbian international.

Vlahovic was Mikel Arteta's chief transfer target this month as the former Manchester City assistant coach was keen to bring in a long-term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and out-of-contract frontmen Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

football.london reported earlier this month that Vlahovic's preference was to stay in the Italian top-flight and he had even told close friends that Juventus or Inter Milan would be his ideal destination if he were to leave La Viola.

Now, Jovic could offer as a viable alternative to his compatriot and the 24-year-old is said to be open to leaving the Bernabeu Stadium given his lack of game time under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The talented striker is yet to start a single match in La Liga this season, struggling with consistency since completing a £54million move from German outfit Frankfurt back in the summer of 2019.

However, if Barcelona legend Messi's opinion is anything to go by, Jovic may just need a fresh start away from the Spanish capital, with the 34-year-old previously naming him as one of the top 15 youngsters in world football.

"A magical player who makes the impossible possible," he said when describing the prolific frontman back in 2020.

The young centre-forward has endured a difficult spell in Madrid but he has previously shown his class during his aforementioned stay in the Bundesliga, netting 27 goals and providing a further seven assists across all competitions in the 2018/19 campaign.

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