Manchester City have reportedly been told to stump up a €60 million transfer fee if they want to capture the signing of Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.
According to a report in Calciomercato, Manchester City have been informed that they must put up a €60 million transfer fee if they want to land Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Fiorentina have once again restarted talks with Vlahovic’s representatives over the possibility of a contract extension, but chances are slim. The Serb’s current deal at the Artemio Franchi Stadium expires in June 2023, and he has rejected several lucrative contract proposal’s from the club already.
La Viola are cautious to avoid a situation in which their star man leaves the club on a free once his contract expires or takes a major hit in value due to loss in form. Hence, they might be forced to sell their prized asset as early as next year. With no shortage of suitors, the Florence-based club are demanding €60 million after club chief Rocco Commisso publicly admitting that the negotiation’s with the player’s entourage are on the dead end.
Vlahovic joined Fiorentina from the Serbian club Partizan Belgrade. He has since progressed leaps and bounds at the club, becoming one of the most deadly marksmen in Serie A. The 21-year-old went on to score 21 goals in 37 league outings last season and has started the new campaign in red-hot form as well.
Indeed, Vlahovic has already netted six goals in only eight appearances across all competitions. This streak of form has certainly caught the attention of many top clubs across the continent, with Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan vying for his signature.
Manchester City are one of the several clubs interested in Vlahovic from the Premier League. They were linked with a late move for the Serie A forward this summer after the talks to sign Tottenham’s Harry Kane collapsed, but a deal for Vlahovic never came to fruition. However, the Sky Blues are still keeping tabs on his development over in Italy.
It’s a widely known fact that Citizens are starving for a target-man who can offer them a focal point and add a different dimension when they are struggling with monotony against low-block sides. Everyone knows the Pep Guardiola system does create a multitude of quality goal-scoring opportunities, but they at times lack a clinical centre-forward to put away all those chances.
Moreover, Manchester City haven’t replaced Sergio Aguero with a proper out-and-out striker. At 21, Vlahovic appears to be a great long-term option. He has the assets to embed into the Guardiola mould. Standing at 1.90m, he has got the physique to adapt to the intense nature of the Premier League.
The Mancunian giants are said to be in the race for Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, but the Norwegian sensation comes with a huge price tag and stiff competition. Vlahovic, at €60 million, can present the Citizens with a cheaper alternative.