Man Utd ‘aroused’ by €80m ex-Arsenal target with ‘enormous potential’ during search for Ronaldo successor
Man Utd have reportedly been ‘aroused’ by Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic as they look to secure a replacement for their former forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Red Devils are short of options in attacking areas as it was confirmed last month that Ronaldo has left the club.
This perhaps came a few months too late but it is good that both parties can move on.
Man Utd did at least benefit financially from Ronaldo’s exit as around £16m would have been owed to the forward in wages had he remained at the club for another six months.
This could give them more of a chance to sign a replacement in January and Vlahovic is one attacker they are being linked with.
The 21-year-old made his name at Fiorentina as he scored 17 goals in 21 Serie A outings at the start of the 2021/22 campaign.
Arsenal were heavily linked with him in January but the Premier League club ended up missing out as he instead signed for Juventus.
Vlahovic has managed to score 16 goals in 36 appearances for Juventus since joining them for a fee that could rise to €80m with add-ons.
But Juventus are not faring well this season as they have been knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages. They also sit third in Serie A after 15 games.
The Italian outlet are also being investigated for breaching FIFA’s Financial Fair Play rules and this is fueling talk that they may be forced to cash in on some of their prized assets.
Tuttusport are reporting that Vlahovic has ‘aroused the interest’ of Man Utd. Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG are all mentioned in the report as clubs who are keen on him.
Clubs ‘have asked his agent for information’ but they have not yet gone as far to ‘contact Juventus’ about a transfer.
It is suggested that Juventus ‘could sit around the table and negotiate’ if they are given ‘indispensable offers’.
The report hints that the potential fee for Vlahovic ‘will have to get closer’ to the €80m that Juventus initially invested to sign him.
Vlahovic’s ability is noted in the report as he is a player with ‘enormous potential’. They do recognise that he can do better for Juventus but he needs to stop ‘wanting to score at all costs’.
Man Utd are also being linked with Cody Gakpo ahead of January and the Dutchman has admitted that he would be open to the move.
Gakpo could have been signed for just £25m in the summer but PSV director of football – Marcel Brands – has indicated that will cost over £38m (€45m).
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