MY ACCOUNT
If you did not know about Dusan Vlahovic at the start of this season, he is almost certain to be on your radar now.
The Fiorentina forward, 21, is the leading scorer in Serie A and is a man every club in Europe would love to sign.
La Viola face Benevento in the Coppa Italia tonight with Vlahovic having netted seven times in his last five games.
Ahead of that clash, we take a look at what the future may hold for the in-demand Serbian star.
Record breaker
It is fast becoming apparent that Vlahovic’s fine form last season was no fluke.
His double against Salernitana last Saturday took him to 15 Serie A goals for the season — more than his opponents that night have managed in total.
It also means that with two Serie A games left to play in 2021, he is just one behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s league record of 33 strikes in a calendar year — set in 2020.
Along with having Ronaldo’s landmark in his sights, he has netted 22 goals in 25 games for club and country this season — with only Robert Lewandowski outshining him in Europe’s big five leagues
Shining in a growing team
Considering Fiorentina endured a relatively poor Serie A campaign, finishing 13th in the league, last term’s haul of 21 was impressive.
Vlahovic still managed to shine in his first full season at the club — and that made everyone sit up and take notice.
Under the tutelage of new boss Vincenzo Italiano, it is an entirely different story this time around.
Fiorentina have a young, vibrant side and have played some eye-catching football, which has led them to fifth in Serie A approaching the halfway stage.
Vlahovic has been the star man, netting 15 goals, including nine of the 11 big chances that have come his way.
He has had more shots than anyone else in Serie A and created 16 opportunities for his team-mates.
Fiorentina exit
Vlahovic will not remain in Florence in the long-term.
Back in October, club CEO Joe Barone said: “We’ve offered Vlahovic the highest contract ever in the history of Fiorentina, several times.
“Both Dusan and his agent made us realise they do not want to accept. Our bid is still on the table.”
Reports in Italy suggest the Serbian is keen to see the season out in Tuscany.
He wants to help fire the side into Europe, which may go some way to repairing his relationship with La Viola’s notorious Ultras.
They have refused to celebrate some of his goals ever since it become clear he would not sign a new deal.
Given he has just 18 months left on his current contact, the only issue with staying in Florence until next summer will be if Fiorentina receive a big offer next month.
Possible destinations
Juventus are the standout candidates to sign Vlahovic — and he would join Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi in swapping the Stadio Artemio Franchi for the Allianz Stadium in recent years.
Juve desperately need a No9 and Vlahovic would arrive as the main man, with Alvaro Morata expected to return to Atletico Madrid.
But Manchester City are perhaps the most attractive option if they decide to move for a striker.
Learning under Pep Guardiola would help Vlahovic take his game to the next level and there is guaranteed Champions League football at the Etihad.
Arsenal have been heavily linked but Vlahovic may view that as a sideways move, with the Gunners having not featured in Europe’s elite competition since 2017.
The reality is that every top team on the continent would happily buy the Serbian if offered the opportunity.
If he wants to be the main man at a new club, Juve and City currently look like the best destinations.
