Manchester United are suggested to have made an attempt to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in January, claims Spanish newspaper AS.
The outlet claims a top Premier League side were negotiating with Juventus to sign Vlahovic and only names United, reporting that only the involvement of an agent at the last minute led to the deal being cancelled.
The report reads: “As AS has learned from sources that were directly involved in the negotiations, Juventus negotiated the sale of Vlahovic with a top Premier League team, presumably United, in the last winter market.
“The required price was in a range that went from 100 to 120 million euros. And when the discussions were about to come to an end and the transfer to be consummated, the Serbian striker’s agent stopped everything.”
It’s quite easy to dismiss AS report. Manchester United were not regarded to have had any money available to sign players in January. The club settled for Wout Weghorst on a loan deal.
Perhaps an exception could have been made if Vlahovic genuinely was available. However, it seems more likely that the Premier League club involved could have been Chelsea, rather than Manchester United.
This summer, things could change. Fuelled by a takeover, Manchester United will have the funds to sign a striker, and the position will be a priority.
Vlahovic is one of the best young strikers in Europe and could cost a far more reasonable fee than the one suggested.
Juventus paid £66 million to sign him a year ago and it is possible he could cost a similar amount, rather than being sold for £100 million plus like Victor Osimhen.
Vlahovic scored for Juventus last week in the Europa League and has netted 10 goals this season in 20 games in all competitions.
The 23-year-old also netted at the World Cup, and has played well despite Juventus wretched season. Earlier this campaign Forbes described him as ‘a Ferrari-level player being driven like a Fiat’. Juventus sit seventh in Serie A.
He is physical, technical striker who could thrive in Erik ten Hag’s system, and while this particular rumour that United negotiated for him in January, seems somewhat doubtful, he will almost certainly be on the club’s radar for the summer transfer window ahead.