Arsenal have reportedly bid £23.7 million for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, though it is believed that Juventus will compete for the Montenegro international’s signature.
The news will be a blow to Arsene Wenger, as it is thought that the 23 year old would prefer a move to the Serie A Champions, though the club appear to have a contingency plan in the shape of Real Madrid’s Gonazalo Higuain.
A third option could be Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla, who has revealed he is only willing to move to a club in the Champions League.
West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the Spanish international, though in confirming their fourth place finish, the Gunners have stolen a march on their London rivals.
Meanwhile, Lukas Podolski has said that a move to Juventus is “conceivable”, while maintaining that he has a contract to honour at the Emirates Stadium.
Whichever transfer targets are pursued, Arsene Wenger has been given the green light to break the clubs wage structure in an attempt to attract the calibre of players that could turn the Gunners into genuine title contenders.
Podolski and Theo Walcott are currently the top earners, with both thought to be on around £100,000 per week, but it is believe that the club would be willing to stretch that figure to £150,000 for the right player.
