Guardiola ‘in love’ with Vlahovic as Man City open talks over in-demand striker | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is believed to be a huge admirer of Fiorentina ace Dusan Vlahovic, with Manchester City opening talks over the in-demand striker.

The Serbian starlet has enjoyed a particularly profitable 2021 in Serie A, having finished last season with 21 league goals and followed that up with 12 in just 15 league appearances so far this term, placing him at the top of the scoring charts in the Italian top flight.

The former Partizan forward has also made a bright start to life on the international stage with seven goals in just 14 appearances thus far, such form for both club and country unsurprisingly catching the attention of clubs across Europe.

The 21-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur during the summer amid the continued uncertainty over talisman Harry Kane, while the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have also been touted for a move.

According to La Republicca, as per the Mail, Manchester City have now joined the race for Vlahovic’s signature, with Guardiola reportedly ‘in love’ with the striker’s goalscoring ability.

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The report suggests that the Premier League champions have begun ‘preliminary talks’ with Fiorentina over a possible deal, the club still seeking a suitable striking replacement for Sergio Aguero, after missing out on both Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.

Last season’s Champions League finalists will no doubt face competition for the highly-rated striker – who for some is a possible direct alternative to Borussia Dortmund machine Erling Haaland – with a host of clubs having been encouraged by his refusal to commit to a new deal, his existing contract set to expire in 2023.

That being said, City could well see their hopes of a move curtailed by the player’s desire to move to Juventus ahead of making a Premier League switch, with Max Allegri’s side currently in need of a fresh injection of quality after an underwhelming start to the campaign in the absence of Ronaldo.

The Turin-based club are set to offer in the region of £50m to prize him from Florence in January, despite his current side likely to demand upwards of £70m.

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