Dusan Vlahovic explains ‘easy’ decision to snub Arsenal for ‘glorious’ Juventus

Dusan Vlahovic says it was an ‘easy’ decision to snub Arsenal for a move to ‘glorious’ Juventus during the January transfer window.

Vlahovic emerged as a key target for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta last month but he opted to join Juventus in a £58m deal instead.

The 22-year-old, who scored 20 goals for former club Fiorentina this season, has signed a four-year deal with Serie A rivals Juve.

‘I am emotional and proud to have signed for Juventus,’ the Serbia international said at his unveiling on Tuesday.

‘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.’

Vlahovic added: ‘I want to the 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.’

Vlahovic has been tipped to join the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as one of the best young players in the world over the next few years, but he said: ‘I am following my own path.

‘How far I’ll reach, I don’t know, but I’ll give my all to achieve as much as possible.’

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