Fiorentina have set Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur an August 15 deadline to sign striker Dusan Vlahovic, otherwise he will remain in the Serie A, according to Corriere dello Sport.
La Viola are working to renew the Serbia international’s contract, but are aware of strong interest in his services. Along with the north London rivals, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid admire what Vlahovic could bring to their respective sides.
Tottenham have even met with Vlahovic’s agent, Darko Ristic, to discuss leaving Fiorentina for the Premier League. But no suitor has indicated to La Viola owner Rocco Commisso that they are prepared to pay his asking price.
Vlahovic, for his part, is getting his head down and preparing for the new season with great passion. The 21-year-old, who scored 21 times in 37 Serie A appearances last season, is also willing to extend his contract beyond 2023 if the terms offered are acceptable.
Ristic is working to secure Vlahovic as high a wage as possible, given the length of contract and release clause Fiorentina want to include. La Viola currently value the seven-cap striker at €60m (£51m), per Calciomercato, who note Giuseppe Lachini has a replacement in mind.
Fiorentina would target Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca if Vlahovic were to leave amid interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. But Commisso will slam the Artemio Franchi Stadium exit door shut on August 15 without suitable offers on his desk.
Arsenal Technical Director Edu and Tottenham Managing Director Fabio Paratici, then, have 96 hours to sign Vlahovic. While either securing the Serbian may free the other to land Lautaro Martinez, who Eurosport claim the Gunners would pay £275,000-per-week.
Fiorentina give Arsenal and Tottenham 96-hours to sign Vlahovic
Fiorentina are in a strong position to at least deny Arsenal the chance to beat Tottenham to Vlahovic this summer. Commisso’s 96-hour deadline to sign the Serbian is unlikely to give Edu enough time to raise the funds he needs.
Arsenal’s want of cash has hindered their bid to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer. Gianluca Di Marzio claims Alexandre Lacazette is likely to be the fall guy. Even though The Sun only claim the Gunners want £15m to part with the Frenchman.
Edu may need to offload more than just Lacazette to afford Vlahovic, then. Leaving Paratici with a chance to see Tottenham edge Arsenal to a deal with Fiorentina before August 15.
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