Arsenal have received a transfer boost in their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic after it was confirmed the Fiorentina star has turned down a mammoth contract offer.
The Gunners were reported to be ready to do battle with north London rivals Tottenham in the race for the 21-year-old striker in summer, while they continued to be linked late last month.
Those reports prompted Fiorentina's club president Rocco Commisso to publicly talk down any prospect of a move.
Commisso insisted that the club intended to tie Vlahovic down to a new long-term deal worth £35m to ward off his suitors, according to The Mirror.