Fiorentina are ready to sign striker Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo should Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur pay their asking price for Dusan Vlahovic, according to Calciomercato.
The north London rivals are among Vlahovic’s many suitors this summer after a remarkable Serie A campaign last season. He scored 21 times over 37 league appearances and offered two assists as La Viola finished the term in 14th.
Vlahovic’s efforts saw the Serbian end the campaign as the division’s fourth-best goalscorer with 45% of his side’s 47 strikes. No player across the Italian top-flight registered a higher contribution rate than the 21-year-old, who outscored Lautaro Martinez by four.
Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham and Inter Milan would now like to sign Vlahovic from Fiorentina this summer. Although the Artemio Franchi Stadium side want €60m (£51.5m) to sell the seven-cap international, three-years after joining from Partizan Belgrade.
La Viola would look to reinvest part of any fee received for Vlahovic to sign Sassuolo striker Scamacca. The 22-year-old has returned to the Mapei Stadium after a season-long loan at Genoa, where he scored eight times in 26 Serie A outings, plus four in the Coppa Italia.
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Fiorentina want to keep Vlahovic, however, and Calciomercato previously reported he was close to agreeing a new contract. The forward has already established a strong relationship with new coach Giuseppe Lachini, and would land a considerable pay rise with a new deal.
Those talks seemed to end any hope Arsenal or Tottenham had of signing Vlahovic, but maybe not with Fiorentina now eying Scamacca as his replacement. Mikel Arteta and Nuno Espirito Santo must now hope their sides have the capital to pay La Viola’s asking price.
Tottenham spoke with Vlahovic agent before Fiorentina handed Arsenal and Spurs boost
Tottenham may have been further along their pursuit of Vlahovic before Fiorentina handed them and Arsenal a boost in Scamacca. Corriere dello Sport reported over the weekend that Spurs spoke with the Serbian’s agent over a move to north London.
Manging Director Fabio Paratici, then, is clearly trying to strengthen Nuno’s frontline and edge Tottenham’s vast competition for Vlahovic. Along with Calciomercato citing Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan as potential suitors, other European giants also want him.
Reports by Tuttosport in April claimed Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid were among those sounding out potential summer transfers. He also had suitors in the Serie A after excelling last season, but a new contract was La Viola’s focus. But that is yet to arrive.