Liverpool chase Serbian starlet Dusan Vlahovic
According to Italian outlet TuttoSport (h/t The Mirror), Liverpool have opened talks with Fiorentina over a possible transfer for striker, Dusan Vlahovic. However, they can expect to face some competition for him. Serie A duo of AC Milan and Juventus is also in the running for him in the summer transfer window.
And a deal can be completed with a fee in the region of £43million to £52million. Vlahovic, who joined La Viola from Partizan Belgrade in 2018, has had a breakout season in Serie A. So we look at why signing him would be a wise move for Liverpool, who look to get back to winning trophies next season.
A short-term and a long-term solution
Dusan Vlahovic offers Liverpool a potential solution to their need in the striker department. That is because Roberto Firmino, who only started playing regularly as a striker under Jurgen Klopp, has no real competition for a starting place. There is Divock Origi and Diogo Jota, however, but it does not seem to be enough.
Origi, who was influential in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League-winning campaign in 2019, hasn’t really impressed since then. And that is reflected in the fact that he only played 181 minutes of Premier League football this season. Not to mention, a report by The Athletic claims that he could be sold in the summer along with a number of other players to raise funds.
Jota, who was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers last term, is a versatile forward. With a lack of quality back-up for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on the wings, it is likely that the Portuguese sensation would be used more on the flanks than in the No.9 role. And this is why the Reds can do with a backup striker.
Vlahovic can actually go on and become more than just an understudy to Liverpool’s Brazilian striker. With 21 goals in Serie A this season, which is the 4th highest for goals in the Italian league, he has shown that he can score goals. Along with providing the necessary depth in the attack, he can even compete for starts with Firmino.
Liverpool could use Vlahovic
He’s also just 21 years old, which means that he can develop even further and has a few years left until he really reaches the top of his game. If that does turn out to be the case, the Reds would be wise to get their hands on the striker before his valuation increases any further or before any other club snaps him up.
According to himself, he also tries to learn from his competition. Vlahovic, speaking in an interview in April to La Repubblica (h/t English AS), said that he could reach the level of Erling Haaland, and even revealed that he has gained Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s attention with his performances.
“I watch him [Haaland]. I try to understand his completion and how he moves. Then I focus on my strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it’s presumptuous, but with commitment, I can get to his level as well”
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And so, considering his age as well his utility to Liverpool (if signed), the fee being quoted above does not seem exorbitant as well. In Vlahovic, Liverpool can get a very able backup for Firmino, who can challenge for starts and make the No.9 position his own in the future.
