Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone has said his side intends to meet with Dusan Vlahovic about a new contract for the player.
Vlahovic has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City with Pep Guardiola ‘s side mentioned as a potential destination for the player before the summer transfer window shut at the beginning of the month.
City ‘s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in the ten-cap Serbia international, who is in his fourth season with Fiorentina.
Vlahovic is in fine form already this season, netting six times in seven matches for Vincenzo Italiano’s side.
A striker, Vlahovic bagged 21 times in 40 games in the previous campaign and his contract runs out in summer 2023.
He has been tipped as an alternative to Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, the Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund strikers who are set to command a huge transfer fee if they leave their respective clubs next summer.
City wanted to sign Kane but were not able to make a breakthrough in negotiations with Tottenham, leaving Guardiola’s side with Gabriel Jesus as the club’s only recognised centre-forward for the 2021-22 season.
Speaking to broadcaster DAZN, Barone said of Vlahovic: “We’ve all set to extend Dusan Vlahovic contract. There will be a new meeting to complete the agreement – but we’re ready to give him a new contract.”
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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said that Fiorentina could insert a release clause into the new deal.
Barone told Sky Italia earlier this month that Vlahovic, who has been valued at around £50 million according to reports, never expressed a desire to leave Fiorentina.
“He is our player, he did not ask to leave,” Barone said.
“We’ll be arriving at the renewal soon, I would like the press and fans to let him concentrate and then the time for renewal will come. When? We work on it every day.”
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