Leading Italian agent Furio Valcareggi believes Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is the only man who could have stopped Dusan Vlahovic swapping Fiorentina for Juventus, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb.
And with that, one of the longest running transfer sagas in European football is over. Kaput. Sorted. Not exactly ‘signed, sealed and delivered’ by not far off either.
According to Sky, Juventus have agreed a £62 million fee with Fiorentina for the most lethal marksman in the whole of Serie A football.
For La Viola supporters, this is a nightmare turning into reality. Their deepest, darkest fears played out for all to see.
Juventus, you see, are Fiorentina’s most hated rivals. And, in the space of five years, they have lost three of their most talented, most iconic footballers to the Old Lady in the north.
Vlahovic is following in the footsteps of Federicos Chiesa and Bernardeschi, not to mention the legendary Roberto Baggio.
Could Conte have lured Dusan Vlahovic to Tottenham?
Liverpool were linked with Vlahovic throughout much of last year.
West Ham were reportedly keen too, albeit very early on in proceedings.
Arsenal came closer than anyone, agreeing a £62 million deal with Fiorentina but not with Vlahovic himself.
As far as Valcareggi is concerned, however, there is only one man who could have stopped Juventus in their tracks. And he’s not Jurgen Klopp or Mikel Arteta.
“I’ve been saying he’s going to Juventus for a year. I knew it,” says Valcareggi, who believes Paulo Dybala will make way via a move to Serie A rivals Inter Milan.
“The speed (of the transfer) surprised me.
“Dybala is non-existent and will go to Inter. With Vlahovic, at least he tries. (Juventus) have spent all the resources they had on him.
“Vlahovic said ‘no’ to everyone because he had agreed everything with Juventus. Only if Conte had intervened maybe he would have changed something.”
What next for Tottenham?
Conte is a big fan of Vlahovic. So too is Tottenham’s managing director Fabio Paratici, the former Juve chief identifying the 21-year-old Serbia international as his dream signing during the January transfer window (Football London).
If there is any consolation for Conte and Paratici, at least Vlahovic will soon be banging in the goals for a club that holds a special place in their hearts.
Better Juventus than Arsenal, right?
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