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Arsenal decision not to sign Alexander Isak in January explained after Dusan Vlahovic miss
ARSENAL failed to sign a striker in January despite the sale of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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Arsenal's striking options have been weakened after the January transfer window, in which the Gunners failed to bring in a senior striker and released Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has joined Barcelona. And reports have told of the reasons as to why the Gunners opted not to bring in a centre-forward after missing out on Dusan Vlahovic.
Mikel Arteta's men were reportedly after Vlahovic and Alexander Isak throughout the window after Aubameyang's disciplinary issues had found him dropped from the first-team.
With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah's contracts expiring in the summer, fans felt a new striker was paramount to any chance of a top-four finish this season.
Yet after Vlahovic turned the Gunners down to head to Juventus midway through the window, it seemed as though all hopes were lost.
The Gunners then reportedly set their sights on Real Sociedad forward Isak as their next best target.
But a report by the Athletic claims that Arsenal were not prepared to panic buy Isak and activate his release clause, a fee they felt was well over his market value.
And that may now leave Arsenal in the lurch given the lack of goals at the club at the moment.
The report states that Arsenal attempted to complete their summer plans early by bringing forward their plans to sign a striker, given their woes up front this season.
But the Gunners failed to get anywhere near Vlahovic and Isak in terms of negotiations.
The Serbian striker was understood to be unsure on a move to Arsenal, and ultimately couldn't be convinced as he sourced a move to Juventus.
Alternatively, Isak has reportedly been of long-term interest to the club.
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Despite speculation rising at the end of the window, Arsenal weren't interested enough to facilitate a deal.
The striker has a £77million release clause in his deal at Spanish side Real Sociedad, however Arsenal chiefs believed they would have been paying way over the odds for the Swedish star.
Vlahovic further rubbed salt into the wounds of the Arsenal faithful after claiming it was an 'easy' decision to join Juventus.
He 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.”
Arsenal currently sit sixth in the Premier League despite an awful start to the season.