Transfer Talk: The race is on to land Fiorentina hotshot Vlahovic

Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic will not be signing a new contract with La Viola — and Europe’s biggest clubs have been put on red alert.

The Serbian starlet spectacularly fired his way into the public eye last year with a 21-goal haul in Serie A and has already notched four times in seven outings this term.

But with a club statement confirming that negotiations over an extension have drawn dead, we take a closer look at the forward’s skill set and consider which sides are likely to enter the race for his signature.

Familiar traits

Erling Haaland is not the only 21-year-old, left-footed goal machine attracting the attention of the globe’s footballing superpowers.

Just like his fellow wonderkid, Vlahovic has proven himself to already be in possession of several key traits required by an elite-level striker despite his tender age.

At 6ft3in, the Serb boasts a dominant physical presence but also has a deceptively sharp turn of foot, making him particularly tricky for opposition defenders to keep tabs on. 

Playing in a direct Fiorentina side, he is a capable line-leader who can offer an outlet for under-fire defenders and turn seemingly lost causes into genuine gilt-edged chances via his intelligent movement.

Most comfortable playing off the shoulder, Vlahovic’s constant objective is to shift the ball onto his prized left boot and get a shot away whenever possible. 

However, he has needed a little time to find his killer touch in front of goal, as displayed by 24 goals in his last 34 league appearances after only managing seven strikes in first 50 first-team outings.

In demand

While Fiorentina are understandably disappointed by their talisman’s desire to depart, they will also be aware that a hefty bidding war could be on the horizon. 

Though the youngster still has over 18 months to run on his current deal in Florence, a quicker sale is likely to maximise the fee La Viola receive and makes a January exit beneficial for both parties.

Tottenham and Atletico Madrid are two sides almost certain to pick up the phone, with both reportedly having bids knocked back this summer.

Spurs viewed Vlahovic as a potential replacement for Harry Kane, while LaLiga champions Atleti hoped to steal a march on other European rivals — though neither club were willing to pay the £60million-plus being demanded at the time.

That fee could still quite easily be fetched if recent reports are to be believed, with a host of other sides supposedly now ready to enter the race.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Juventus, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich have all been closely monitoring the Serb according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Where is the best fit?

When a player scores as many times as Vlahovic has in the last 12 months, almost any team would find a place for him in their starting XI.

However, there is no doubt that his current club have a very direct style of play, meaning the marksman will have to make significant adjustments to his all-round game if joining an elite club.

Though he does have an eye for an occasional spectacular strike, most of his goals are poacher-type finishes swept in with his left foot — he has not scored a single league goal with his weaker foot across the last two campaigns.

His aerial threat is pretty strong but his headed goals tally remains modest, while he also lacks experience in intricate build-up play — utilised as the man to put the finishing touch to moves rather than offering much creative input himself.

Of course, Vlahovic has plenty of time to develop weaker areas but whoever acquires him will need to be prepared to show patience and potentially even make tactical switches to accommodate him.

In return, they can expect to benefit from one of the game’s coolest young finishers.

Playing time key

Fiorentina icon Stevan Jovetic was gushing in his praise of the youngster this summer — and perhaps offered some important insight into what Vlahovic should consider when choosing his next destination.

Jovetic said: "He [Vlahovic] has pace, strength and an eye for the goal. He will be the best striker of the next few years along with Erling Haaland. 

"So potentially, he is ready for somewhere big but the most important thing is to get consistent playing time when you are as young as him."

While a move to a Manchester City or Bayern Munich may sound glamorous, much of the Serb’s early success can be put down to the exposure he has had to first-team football.

Like Haaland, he has played nearly every minute of this campaign and appears to thrive off needing to deliver the goods on a weekly basis.

If he can find a new side that is also prepared to give him maximum game time, there is less threat of his rapid development suddenly stunting.

Sky is the limit

While the long-term future is unclear for Vlahovic, his immediate focus will be continuing to hit the goal trail for Fiorentina.

Club president Rocco Commisso told the club website: "Dusan Vlahovic has a contract linking him to Fiorentina for the next 21 months. 

"We have no doubt that the player will, as he always has, do his bit to help the team achieve its objectives, showing the same level of professionalism he has shown since he arrived in Florence, with the utmost respect from our fans, his team-mates, the coach and the club as a whole."

With four wins from their opening seven Serie A matches, La Viola will hope to continue a promising start as they look to regain their position in Italy’s upper echelons.

In January however, the scramble for their star man will truly catch fire.