Arsenal ‘strongly want’ Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic this summer but so far the player has resisted their advances.
That’s according to Pianeta Milan, who say the Gunners are competing with AC Milan for the Serbian’s signature this summer.
Jovic has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer after a disastrous first year at the club.
He arrived in a big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer after a superb season in the Bundesliga but has failed to earn himself a regular place in Zinedine Zidane’s side.
His reputation has also taken something of a battering, with a series of off-field incidents leading to plenty of criticism and calls for the Spanish club to get rid.
So far it has appeared Zidane was reluctant to do that and wants to give Jovic another chance to prove himself but, should he depart, Arsenal has been touted as a possible destination.
They may be on the hunt for a new striker this summer with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette linked with moves away, and Jovic is seemingly the man Mikel Arteta wants to replace them.
Pianeta Milan confirm that is the case, saying they ‘strongly want’ the 22-year-old and are willing to offer him wages of €10m a year plus bonuses in a ‘mega engagement’.
However, Jovic has been holding them off as he prefers a move to AC Milan and the opportunity to work under Ralf Rangnick.
For him, it is not a case of money, but ‘project’ and he prefers Milan’s to Arsenal’s, so is waiting for the Serie A club to find an agreement with Madrid over a transfer.
They are ‘preparing to sink the blow’ and offer a two-year loan with a mandatory purchase clause of €40m at the end of it.
Whether Real Madrid would accept such a deal isn’t mentioned, but it seems Arsenal are facing extreme competition, and a battle to convince Jovic if they do want him this summer.