Arsenal could offload Thomas Partey in order to sign Dusan Vlahovic (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal sporting director Edu says Juventus are ‘too tough’ in negotiations when asked about potential talks over Dusan Vlahovic and Thomas Partey.
The Gunners have a longstanding interest in signing Juventus striker Vlahovic and reports in Italy have suggested Arsenal may look to land him this January.
The 23-year-old Serbia international has registered 28 goals and seven assists across 75 games for the Serie A club with Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his attack.
It is thought that the north Londoners may be forced to work with a small budget in January, though, unless they can sell off some players and raise some funds.
One squad member Arsenal are open to offloading is midfielder Partey, who has attracted interest from Juventus.
That has caused speculation that a form of swap deal could be in the air between Arsenal and Juventus, although Edu was coy when asked about possible talks at the Golden Boy awards in Turin.
Quizzed if he had discussed Vlahovic and Partey with Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, who was also present at the award ceremony, Edu said with a smile: ‘No, they are too tough with us!’
Arsenal’s Edu was named Best European Director at the Golden Boy awards (Picture: Getty)
Edu, meanwhile, has hailed his relationship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after being crowned Best European Director at the Golden Boy awards.
‘With Mikel, we have created something special,’ Edu told Marca.
‘We started as two known footballers who wanted to do something in the football world.
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‘Working with Mikel is a pleasure. He’s a great professional and a great person. When these two facts combine, everything becomes simpler.
‘I’m very lucky to be at Arsenal working with Mikel. We discuss things, mostly about the club, and I can say that we are having a really good time together.
‘It was a pleasure to become the director of Arsenal. I’m so proud to receive this award because as soon as I stopped playing, I immediately went to the other side, and to receive this recognition is a real privilege.’
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‘They are too tough with us!’