Dusan Vlahovic is on the radar of several leading sides following his performances for Fiorentina, the forward having been in prolific form during an exciting emergence in Serie A.
Vlahovic scored 21 league goals for the Italian side last season and has started the new campaign in similar fashion, with the Serbia international currently leading the race for the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s leading scorer, alongside Ciro Immobile.
The 21-year-old is understood to have turned down the chance to sign a new deal at Fiorentina, with
I Viola expected to cash-in on their prized possession before his current contract approaches its expiration in 2023.
So for those of you interested in team predictions at betrivers sportsbook, we’ve looked at the bookies five favourites to sign Dusan Vlahovic.
Newcastle – 12/1
Eddie Howe looks set to be armed with a transfer war-chest during the winter window, the new Newcastle manager to be provided with funds as he bids to drag the Magpies away from the relegation places.
Newcastle’s takeover earlier this season has catapulted the club into the financial elite and the spending looks set to begin in January as the club prepare to embark on a new era.
Attracting Vlahovic to St James’ Park would represent a sizeable coup for Newcastle, as the Magpies look to ease the goalscoring burden on leading scorer Callum Wilson.
What a stunning team move! 💨
Fiorentina with a lightning counter-attack and that man Dušan Vlahović is on hand to head home ⚡️
1️⃣4️⃣ goals in all competitions this season for Serie A's leading scorer! pic.twitter.com/pX7QvORzLk
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 30, 2021
The Serbian is just the fourth u-21 player in history to score 30 Serie A goals in a calendar year and the first in 63 years to achieve the feat following a sensational 2021.
Fiorentina are believed to demanding a fee of around €70m for Vlahovic, a club-record investment for Newcastle but a figure well within reach given their newly-abundant resources.
Manchester City – 12/1
Manchester City are also regarded at 12/1 odds to sign Vlahovic from Fiorentina, with Pep Guardiola having failed in his pursuit of a new centre-forward last summer.
The Premier League champions tried and failed to prise Harry Kane from Tottenham, whilst City have also been continually linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
Haaland is expected to leave Dortmund next summer when a €75m release clause becomes active in his contract with the Bundesliga side, though City will face competition from each of Europe’s elite clubs for the signature of the Norway international.
Vlahovic could provide a fine alternative to Haaland, with the Fiorentina forward a prolific, left-footed presence possessing both height and a clinical touch.
The 21-year-old himself has spoken on comparisons to Haaland, believing the Dortmund star’s only advantage is his added pace. “He is faster than me,” Vlahovic told DAZN. “But for the rest, we compete.”
Arsenal – 8/1
Arsenal are understood to be in the market for a centre-forward, with Mikel Arteta having prioritised signings elsewhere during the summer window.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has continued to perform inconsistently for the Gunners this season, whilst the futures of both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are uncertain as the duo approach the end of their respective contracts.
Vlahovic could prove a fine addition to a youthful Arsenal side, Arteta’s focus having been on finding a nucleus of young talent to build around at the Emirates.
With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli amongst his options, the Spaniard possesses an array of creatives that can provide the ammunition for a centre-forward signing.
Fabrizio Romano recently spoke on Arsenal’s desire to sign a forward, but Vlahovic’s lack of interest in a move to the north Londoners makes a deal complicated.
“Arsenal’s plan, from what I’m told, is to sign an important striker in the coming months,” Romano told the Here We Go podcast.
“Let’s see if it’ll be January or the summer. They were interested in Lautaro Martinez but Inter said: ‘no, wait until the summer’.
“They have an interest in Dusan Vlahovic but the player is not looking for this kind of solution right now. But Arsenal are looking for a young striker and they want to do something interesting for the club.
Tottenham – 4/1
Tottenham are the favourites to sign Vlahovic, with the north Londoners priced at odds of 4/1.
The appointment of Fabio Paratici as sporting director has seen Spurs linked with several Serie A signings, the former Juventus chief boasting an extensive knowledge of the Italian market.
Antonio Conte’s arrival has further increased speculation surrounding Serie A additions and Vlahovic is amongst the most appealing on the market following his explosive exploits in 2021.
Harry Kane has struggled for form since seeing a summer move to Manchester City fail to materialise and the signing of Vlahovic could provide Spurs with the perfect partner – or alternative – to the England captain.
Conte has often enjoyed huge success with a 3-5-2 formation at previous clubs and the prospect of Kane and Vlahovic working in tandem is sure to excite the Spurs support.
Fiorentina are believed to prefer the sale of Vlahovic to a foreign side amid reported interest from Inter Milan and rivals Juventus, a stance that could prove an advantage to Spurs in their reported pursuit.
