Manchester City’s pursuit for Sergio Aguero’s replacement had them considering moves for Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane among others, but another player on their radar was Dusan Vlahovic.
The 21-year-old has scored 32 goals and made four assists in 87 appearances for ACF Fiorentina since his 2018-move from Partizan Belgrade. Vlahovic scored 21 goals in 37 Serie A games last season which caught the attention of many big clubs, but the Serbian international doesn’t want to leave Fiorentina yet.
He said in a recent press conference (h/t Mirror): “I’ve received top proposals this summer, really big also for the club but I was never pushing to leave. I wanted to stay at Fiorentina… and I’m staying, yes.
“I think I am on the right path, but I need to work hard with humility and determination. There will be highs and lows, but I will give my all for myself, the club, the city and the coach.”
Vlahovic has two years remaining on his deal at the Stadio Artemio Franchi but it remains to be seen if he’ll see them out. In addition to Man City, the 21-year-old has interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, so he could have his pick of clubs next summer.
Pep Guardiola has Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Ferran Torres at his disposal in attack but only Gabriel Jesus is a natural centre-forward.
And with Man City scoring 10 goals in their last two Premier League games, it doesn’t appear they’re struggling for goals without Aguero.