Franck Ribery believes former Fiorentina teammate Dusan Vlahovic is a “great player” but the reported Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool target still has a lot to learn, speaking to Toscana TV.
As you might expect given Vlahovic labelled himself the second coming of Zlatan Ibrahimovic when a teenager at Partizan Belgrade, the Serbia international isn’t short on confidence.
At least Vlahovic has the talent to back up his steel-capped self-belief, scoring 21 times during a breakthrough Serie A campaign for an underperforming Fiorentina side.
The 6ft 2in centre-forward struck up a fine understanding with Ribery on and off the pitch too, the Bayern Munich legend acting as a mentor to one of Europe’s most exciting number nines.
Will Vlahovic go to Tottenham?
“He’s like a little brother to me,” says Ribery, via Calciomercato, while announcing his departure after two years at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
“He is a great player but he still has to understand many things. In the last year, a lot has changed, we have seen in the last seven months how he worked and how he played.
“He listens – and this is important.”
The likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool have been tipped to make a £36 million swoop for Vlahovic amid claims the 21-year-old is unwilling to extend a contract due to expire in summer 2023.
According to Football London, Spurs are leading the chase as things stand, opening talks with Vlahovic after Nuno Espirito Santo gave his backing to a player who quickly emerged as one of Fabio Paratici’s top targets.
And it’s surely no coincidence Vlahovic, elegant and efficient in equal measure, shares a lot in common with a certain Harry Kane.
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