Manchester City were desperate to sign a striker after Sergio Aguero was released on a free transfer this summer and had their eye on a number of players – Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo.
With City having no luck landing one of their preferred targets, the Premier League champions changed course and looked at Dusan Vlahovic to no avail. Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness) say City had a bid of €70m (£60m) turned down before the summer transfer window shut.
The 21-year-old came to the Sky Blues’ attention after scoring 21 goals in 37 Serie A games last season – the most prolific campaign of his career. Vlahovic has spent three years at Fiorentina, joining the Italian outfit from Partizan in 2018, but his future at the Stadio Artemio Franchi is uncertain.
Vlahovic has two years remaining on his deal with the Violas, but the interest he has from big European clubs could turn his head. The Serbian international, who has scored two goals in seven games for his country, might be highly coveted when the winter transfer window opens in January.
In other news, Man City to battle Man Utd over £64.5m player next summer