Dusan Vlahovic: transfer latest and reported asking price amid Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal interest

A key talking point of the upcoming January transfer window continues to develop, with Dusan Vlahovic becoming an increasingly attractive option for a number of elite clubs.

The 21-year-old Serbian striker has been in scintillating form for Fiorentina in 2021, and after reportedly telling La Viola he will not renew his current contract, which expires in 2023, the race to secure his signature is hotting up.

Vlahovic has been the subject of transfer talk for some time, and linked with a host of Premier League clubs. The saga could well run well into January, as the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Juventus continue to monitor the starlet.

Why is Vlahovic so sought after?

Vlahovic is a classic number 9, a dying breed. He’s physically similar to Erling Braut Haaland, one of Europe’s most potent finishers. He’s your typical poacher, with most of goals coming in the penalty area, but has also scored a couple of free kicks for Fiorentina.

While operating as a deadly finisher in the box, much like ex-Man Utd forward Javier Hernandez, he is also skilled with both feet.

In modern football, we’ve become accustomed to a different type of attack. Manchester City are blowing teams away without playing a recognised striker, Liverpool thrived with a false-nine, and Arsenal are also moulding their side that mimics Pep Guardiola’s side.

Strikers are expected to do it all now. The likes of Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are a true testament as to how modern football needs the complete package in strikers, whereas Vlahovic is just pure goals.

Who has confirmed interest?

Currently, it is understood that Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus have solid, concrete interest in Vlahovic.

How would he impact each team?

With Pierre Emerick Aubameyang seemingly out of favour with Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are left with Eddie Nketiah, Folarin Balogun and Alexandre Lacazette as their main strikers. Balogun looked nervous paying first team football, and has been linked with a move to the Championship to gain first team minutes. If Lacazette and Nketiah are deemed unable to be the main man up top, Vlahovic could come in and be the focal point of their attack.

At Spurs, Antonio Conte has been promised he will be backed in the transfer window, and employing his favoured five at the back means there’s a need for a second striker. We’ve seen Spurs play with Son Heung Min and Lucas Moura to partner Kane, and whilst it’s been successful, they’re not out-and-out strikers and someone like Vlahovic could slot in nicely. Kane is known for dropping deeper, but that leaves a huge gap not filled, and Vlahovic would rarely drop deeper than needed.

Chelsea wouldn’t seem like likely suitors for Vlahovic - they’ve just resigned Romelu Lukaku for a club record fee, and give Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz license to roam, filling up the attacking roles.

Manchester City is self-explanatory. Since Sergio Aguero left, and Gabriel Jesus is now deployed as a winger. They consistently play without a recognised striker. Despite their lack of a front man, they’re not struggling for goals, but a young, top striker could fill that position for over a decade.

Juventus have struggled to score in Serie A this season, due to the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Federico Chiesa, Moise Kean and Paulo Dybala simply haven’t stepped up, and The Old Lady are in desperate need of goals - as Vlahovic has already proven himself in Serie A, the deal would make perfect sense.

How much do Fiorentina want?

As his contract doesn’t run out until 2023, Fiorentina can still demand a big fee. A lot of figures have been floated around, but it has been suggested that a fee of around £70 million could be enough to break Fiorentina’s resolve not to sell the player before the end of the season.