Juventus have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, with La Viola supposedly keen on not selling their star forward to the Bianconeri.
Juve and Fiorentina have negotiated on several occasions recently, with Federico Bernardeschi and Federico Chiesa both switching Florence for Turin since 2017. Many suspected the pair would be locked in negotiations for Vlahovic next year, with the Serbian striker rejecting a contract extension with La Viola.
His current deal at the club expires in the summer of 2022, meaning Fiorentina will look to sell their precocious forward either in January or next summer.
Fiorentina won’t negotiate with Juventus for Vlahovic
Juventus’ admiration for Vlahovic is well-known, but the financial strains brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the Serb’s monster price tag made a move impossible in the summer.
The 21-year-old scored 21 times in Serie A last season and has begun the 2021/22 campaign in fine fettle. Vlahovic has eight goals in 11 league appearances this term, recently striking his second Serie A hat-trick in Fiorentina’s 3-0 victory over Spezia.
His incredible form over the past 18 months has put Europe’s elite on red alert, and reports have started to emerge of Antonio Conte wanting to bring Vlahovic to Tottenham Hotspur in January. According to La Nazione, Fiorentina would rather sell their prized asset abroad as opposed to a Serie A ‘rival’
*Cough* Juventus *Cough*.
Romeo Agresti (via @JuveFC), meanwhile, understands that it’ll be difficult for Juventus to bring Vlahovic to Turin, despite the player’s supposed desire to join the Bianconeri. Agresti understands that Fiorentina aren’t prepared to discuss any transfers with Juventus and will negotiate with any club for Vlahovic except for Juve.
Fiorentina set their price for Vlahovic
While they’re coy on selling Vlahovic to Juventus, Fiorentina are keen to offload Vlahovic in January.
However, they’ll do incredibly well to garner their €80m valuation considering the player’s contract situation.
Agresti adds the club are hoping for interest from the Premier League to manifest. Although it’s hard to envisage any club, no matter their financial might, paying €80m for a player whose contract expires in 18 months time.