Atletico Madrid are set to make Fiorentina an official offer for striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, amid rival interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The La Liga champions are striving to strengthen Diego Simeone’s side ahead of defending the Spanish top-flight title next season. The Wanda Metropolitano outfit won the league by two points last term, thanks heavily to former Barcelona star Luis Suarez.
Suarez topped the Colchoneros’ scoring charts with 21 goals, the same output as Vlahovic produced in the Serie A. Now, Simeone could boast a formidable partnership in the pair, with Atletico Madrid ready to pay Fiorentina €50m (£43m) to sign Vlahovic this summer.
Atletico Madrid hope the sum is enough to convince Fiorentina to part with Vlahovic, amid fierce rival interest. Corriere dello Sport report Tottenham have met with Vlahovic’s agent to encourage a Premier League transfer, with Inter Milan and Arsenal also in the race.
Additionally, Corriere dello Sport note Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso will not stand in Vlahovic’s way if he receives suitable offers. But the bids must arrive before August 15, while Calciomercato note La Viola value the Serbian at €60m (£51m).
Fiorentina will, however, take a few days to discuss Atletico’s approach with Vlahovic and his agent, Darko Ristic. Di Marzio adds the Spanish outfit are the side currently showing the most desire to sign the prolific 21-year-old marksman.
That could be due to Arsenal and Tottenham also battling it out over Inter Milan frontman Lautaro Martinez, per Eurosport. The north London rivals want both Serie A stars, but Mikel Arteta and Nuno Espirito Santo may be about to see Atletico take Vlahovic off the market.
Atletico Madrid to beat Arsenal and Tottenham to Fiorentina ‘phenomenon’ Vlahovic?
Atletico Madrid may have some distance to make up in discussions with Fiorentina to beat Arsenal and Tottenham to Vlahovic. But the La Liga champions are making efforts to win the race at the north London rivals’ expense.
Arteta and Nuno would rue seeing La Viola accept the Colchoneros’ bid, if £43m is enough. Vlahovic was lethal in the Italian top-flight last season, as a boy became a man to guide Fiorentina to safety. Now, the 6 ft 3 marksman’s form could see him head for La Liga glory.
Simeone will be in dreamland with Vlahovic and Suarez firing on all cylinders at the Wanda Metropolitano. Vlahovic will also learn a lot from the experienced Suarez, despite already being a player on a meteoric rise. Udinese icon Antonio di Natale also waxed lyrical of the seven-cap Serbian earlier this year. He told RTV38: “Vlahovic is a phenomenon.”
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