Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit for Serie A striker Dusan Vlahovic after contract talks collapse at his current club.
According to Evening Standard, Dusan Vlahovic will not sign a new deal at Fiorentina, giving a significant boost to the forward’s potential suitors, who include Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid.
Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso has issued a formal statement confirming that the Serbian sensation has been presented with multiple lucrative contract offers, which may have placed him as the club’s highest-paid player in history on a long-term deal worth £35 million per year, but none have been accepted.
The Serb’s current contract at Stadio Artemio Franchi expires in 2023. Therefore, La Viola will want to cash in on him next year to avoid losing him on a free transfer. Rocco Commisso said, “Vlahovic has not accepted our huge contract proposal. We’ve been trying for months, but it’s over.”
Vlahovic was touted with a move away from Florence over the summer after a stellar 2020/21 season in which he scored 21 goals in 37 Serie A appearances. He has had an equally explosive start to the new campaign and is on track to post better numbers, scoring six goals in only eight games. With his current upwards trajectory, Vlahovic has the potential to become one of the game’s best attackers if surrounded by a strong supporting cast.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were mentioned as possible destinations for the Fiorentina hitman during the summer transfer window, but he eventually stayed at Stadio Artemio Franchi to continue his growth. However, those teams and others will be on high alert now that Vlahovic is expected to depart Fiorentina in the near future.
Arsenal are set to continue their youth rebuild strategy under head coach Mikel Arteta and the club’s sporting director Edu Gaspar, with Alexandre Lacazette poised to leave the Emirates on a free next year. They are likely to bring a young No.9 with a high ceiling to complement Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and, in an ideal scenario, lead the line in the coming years. Vlahovic, at 21, fits the profile perfectly.
Standing at 6’2″, many can misjudge Vlahovic as a conventional target-man, but he has a broad skillset. He offers dynamism upfront with his ability to generate chances for his teammates. He can even dribble long stretches before finishing calmly into the back of the net, while carrying an aerial threat as well. Moreover, he is technically very sound and is a clinical finisher with both feet.
Tottenham were also linked with signing the forward as a partner and not a replacement – for their wantaway superstar Harry Kane. In addition, the Englishman’s form has stumbled in the league ever since the Man City move fell through. Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici is keeping a close watch on upcoming talent from Italian football, and there is a strong possibility that he might end up making a move for Vlahovic in his hunt for a well-rounded striker.
It sets the stage up perfectly for a likely transfer war with Arsenal and Tottenham among the huge list of suitors vying to acquire the services of the 21-year-old Serbian sensation.