An update has emerged on the future of one of Arsenal's reported targets heading into the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to reports in Spain, via The Sun on transfer deadline day, Gunners target Dusan Vlahovic wants to leave Italian giants Juventus and is eyeing up a possible move to Real Madrid.
The Serie A side have been slapped with a 15-point deduction and are 13th in the table as it stands and the Serbian striker now wants to move on from the Old Lady, with a transfer said to be more likely to happen in the summer rather than before tonight's deadline.
Earlier this month, it was reported, in the Italian media, that Arsenal are interested in signing Vlahovic and the news that the forward would like to secure an exit from Italy could be a big boost for their chances of landing him.
Left-footed marksman
Edu could secure the club's next version of prolific left-footed centre-forward Robin van Persie by beating Real Madrid to the signing of the Juventus marksman in the summer.
The legendary Dutch striker enjoyed a terrific spell at The Emirates during his time in London as the forward plundered 132 goals and 58 assists in 278 matches in all competitions - including 30 goals in 38 Premier League appearances during his final campaign with the club.
Van Persie proved himself to be a reliable, clinical, goalscorer for the Gunners over the course of a number of years, whilst also providing assists for his teammates, and Vlahovic - another left-footed number nine - could come in and have a similar impact at the top end of the pitch.
The Serbian international has struck 16 times and delivered four assists in 36 outings for Juventus since arriving in Turin in January of last year. His form for his current club comes after the gem scored 38 Serie A goals in his last 58 appearances for Fiorentina, which convinced the Italian giants to drop a reported £66m package to sign him.
Vlahovic, who was dubbed "incredibly prolific" by scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, has also found the back of the net ten times in 19 caps for Serbia at international level, which shows that the forward has proven himself on the world stage as well as in a major European league in Italy.
Of course, the number nine is yet to play in English football but his impressive goal return for Serbia, Fiorentina, and Juventus shows a proven track record of finding the back of the net on a regular basis, which is why he is worth gambling on.
At the age of 23, Mikel Arteta could also work with the goalscorer to improve his all-round game and this means that the gem could be a great long-term addition to the team, as well as having the quality to make an immediate impact.
Therefore, Edu could land Arsenal's next prolific left-footed marksman - a van Persie 2.0 - in the summer by signing Vlahovic to plunder goals on a regular basis for many years to come.