Newcastle United have reportedly entered the race to capture highly-rated Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic who is set for a Premier League move next year.
According to The Sun, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to lead the £50 million transfer race for Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic as the Serie A side prepares to offload their wantaway Serbian star as early as January.
The Serie A talisman is one of the hottest properties in the transfer market, with his contract situation making him an attractive proposition. The Serb’s current contract at Artemio Franchi Stadium is set to expire in June 2023. He has already rejected a lucrative £35 million contract offer from La Viola and wants a fresh challenge away from Florence.
After arriving at Fiorentina as a teenage talent from the Serbian outfit Partizan Belgrade back in 2018, Vlahovic has taken astronomical strides in a short span of time. He has transformed himself into one of the most lethal marksmen in Italian football. He has effectively carried La Viola by himself during the last campaign, scoring 21 goals from 37 Seria A outings.
He has also gotten off to a similar start to the current season and is on course to beat his previous best, having already netted 6 times from 8 appearances in all competitions. The Serbian striker is widely regarded as one of the best young strikers on the planet.
Juventus, AC Milan, Liverpool, and Manchester City are all lining up transfer moves for the 21-year-old Serbian sensation, but as per the report Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have now emerged as the frontrunners to land the La Viola poacher.
Newcastle United are the latest party to enter the fray with their newfound wealth backing their contention. They have been linked with many high-profile signings since their Saudi-led takeover got over the line, but the new owners are more likely to invest in top young talents, which would be beneficial in the long run. Vlahovic is one of the potential names on Newcastle’s shopping list as they prepare to raid the market.
The Magpies’ attack is spearheaded by Callum Wilson, who is a fine Premier League goal-scorer, but his recurring hamstring issues problems meant he has now missed 17 games through injuries since arriving last summer while the other recognized striker Dwight Gayle is massively unfavored by the Magpies boss Steve Bruce.
Standing at 1.90m, Vlahovic has the physique to be an aerial nuisance among opposition defences while he’s equally capable of working the channels, suiting Newcastle’s direct counter-attacking style. He would certainly represent a statement signing, and at just 21, he can be their poster boy for years to come.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have a long-standing interest in the Serbian front-man, He was on Tottenham’s wanted list during the last transfer window as the ideal successor for Harry Kane if he departed. However, the Spurs captain ended up staying in north London, but Spurs are keen on adding another forward to complement Kane.
Spurs have recently scouted extensively in Italian football since the arrival of sporting director Fabio Paratici, and it’d be no surprise to see Vlahovic on their radar. With a plethora of top clubs interested in the player, it will be interesting who will be able to land the Serbian forward in the upcoming transfer window.