MY ACCOUNT
Fiorentina are open to selling Dusan Vlahovic in January but the Viola’s director Joe Barone denied they have reached an agreement with Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are among a plethora of Europe’s elite who are chasing the in-form striker in the mid-season transfer window, with Premier League champions Manchester City also linked.
Vlahovic has scored 17 times in 21 Serie A appearances, netting once every 109.5 minutes on average and comfortably outperforming his expected goals tally of 12.2, and his stock continues to rise.
The 21-year-old ended 2021 on a high as well, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s 21st-century record for most goals in the Italian top flight in a calendar year (33), set in 2020.
In fact, only Gunnar Nordahl in 1950 (36) has ever scored more times in a calendar year than Ronaldo and Vlahovic.
But Barone revealed Vlahovic’s time in Tuscany will likely come to an end soon with the Serbia international unwilling to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring at the end of the next season.
“Some English clubs have made contact, but there is no agreement yet. We are open [to selling],” Barone told Italian outlet La Nazione on Friday.
Barone previously asked Vlahovic to publicly state whether he wants to leave the club or not, while suggesting no bids had been made for the forward in the last week.
But the Fiorentina chief claimed he is still yet to hear from Vlahovic’s entourage as the Viola reportedly hold out for €75million for their prized asset.
“I haven’t heard anything from them, I had asked Vlahovic’s agent to be clear, but I haven’t heard anything, no contacts at all,” he added.
Fiorentina sit sixth in Serie A on 35 points ahead of their next clash with Cagliari on Sunday.
