Pietro Maiellaro has told TuttoMercatoWEB that Fiorentina should sell Dusan Vlahovic in the January transfer window, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Antonio Conte.
Vlahovic’s contract at the Artemio Franchi Stadium will expire in 2023 after rejecting a lucrative new deal. Viola owner Rocco Commisso confirmed the Serbian striker snubbed his offer to become the club’s all-time best-paid player in October.
He added that Fiorentina would explore ‘appropriate solutions’ to Vlahovic’s situation, with numerous clubs – including Tottenham – clamouring for his signature. TMW reported last month that Spurs Managing Director Fabio Paratici has held ongoing talks over a deal.
Spurs’ change in manager with Daniel Levy sacking Nuno Espirito Santo may not deter their interest, either. Sportmediaset report Conte has already drawn up a shortlist of targets he wants at Tottenham as their next manager, with Vlahovic one of the top names.
Maiellaro tells Commisso to sell Vlahovic
Sportmediaset add Fiorentina Director General Joe Barone and Sporting Director Daniele Prade have met Tottenham recently to discuss Vlahovic’s situation. But Spurs consider Commisso’s €60m-70m (£51m-60m) valuation excessive.
Maiellaro, who played for Fiorentina in 1991/92, also backs Commisso to secure a high fee to sell Vlahovic in January. But urges the Viola owner to cash in barring a breakthrough in any potential further discussions over a new contract.
“I don’t know if the parties have been able to talk about the matter again but personally, I would sell him in January,” he said. “Vlahovic scores and his qualities are not questioned. But I believe that the club should collect as much as possible and avoid losing him to zero.
“It is also true that selling in January is not easy. In Italy there is Juve among the pretenders and then you have to look at the foreign market. It is always necessary to understand, however, whether certain clubs will want to get the money out now or wait.
“He’s a strong centre-forward, he’s a great player. Football has changed, and everyone does what they want. But I think Commisso has the strength to resolve this situation well.”
Should Tottenham secure mid-season Vlahovic transfer?
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy may baulk at securing a mid-season transfer for Vlahovic given Fiorentina owner Commisso’s expensive asking price. The 21-year-old would become Spurs’ club-record signing for anything over the £54m spent on Tanguy Ndombele in 2019.
Vlahovic would also demand a sizable salary to join, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting his agent recently told Juventus that they must offer him a €6m-a-year (£98k-a/w) net wage.
Vlahovic’s demands may not be an issue for Tottenham, and he has proven in Italy he can request such. Scoring eight in 11 Serie A appearances so far this season after netting 21 in 37 games last term. He has also scored six in 12 caps for Serbia since debuting last year.
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