According to a report from Italian news outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic is keen on a move to Manchester City next year having refused to sign a lucrative new contract to stay at the club.
Following his breakthrough campaign with Fiorentina last season, Dusan Vlahovic, 21, has emerged as one of Serie A’s most coveted strikers. He netted 21 goals and supplied three assists in 37 Serie A appearances and was one of the rare bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for La Viola.
The Serbian international, who arrived from his native club Partizan Belgrade in 2018, has enhanced his reputation further with four goals and an assist in seven league appearances so far this season.
However, Vlahovic is not yet sure about putting pen to paper on a new contract with Fiorentina as he dreams of a move to Manchester City and wants to keep his options open in the interim, La Gazzetta Dello Sport reports.
The 21-year-old centre-forward has a contract with the Florence-based outfit until the summer of 2023, and if he doesn’t renew, the club would have no option but will be forced to sell him. Fiorentina are trying their best to tie the Serbian hotshot to a new contract, with President Rocco Commisso stating last month that the club has offered the player “€40m over five years.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was keen on a striker in the summer to replace the legendary Sergio Aguero, who departed for Barcelona in the summer. The Sky Blues were linked with a host of names during the transfer window, including Dusan Vlahovic; however, in the end, Guardiola had to be content with the big-money purchase of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.
The Cityzens’ need for a striker have never felt more paramount than the last two games against Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, where Guardiola’s side created an abundance of chances but failed to capitalise on their dominance. This resulted in them losing 2-0 to PSG at Parc des Princes in the Champions League and drawing 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield in the league.
So, reports emerging from Italy regarding Vlahovic’s desire to join Manchester City should seemingly hand a boost in Guardiola’s pursuit of a prolific striker in the New Year.