Manchester City keeping tabs on £66m-rated Serie A star: Reports
Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic next summer. They are monitoring him as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez.
The Cityzens sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer for a reported fee of £81.5 million. They, however, didn't sign a replacement. In fact, City signed just two senior players in the summer - Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan. As per Tutto Juve (via TBR Football), they are interested in signing Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker has been excellent for Juventus since arriving from Fiorentina in January 2022. He's scored 45 goals and provided 10 assists in 108 games across competitions. However, he will have just one year remaining on his contract next summer, which has attracted interest from other clubs.
He is valued at around £66 million but it will go down next summer if he doesn't sign a new contract. Manchester City will also have to ward off competition from Atletico Madrid if they are to sign Vlahovic. Moreover, Arsenal were also linked with him during his Fiorentina days but he chose to join Juventus instead.
Vlahovic has started the 2024-25 season well, scoring four goals and providing one assist in seven games across competitions. At Manchester City, though, he will have to compete with Erling Haaland for a starting place.
Pep Guardiola explains why he subbed off Erling Haaland in Manchester City's UCL clash
Manchester City comfortably beat Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at Tehelne Pole Stadium in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, October 1. Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring just eight minutes in before Phil Foden doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Erling Haaland (58') and James McAtee (78') completed the scoring.
Manager Pep Guardiola subbed off Haaland in the 60th minute for McAtee. After the game, he was asked if the Norwegian striker was upset about not being able to add to his tally. The Spaniard replied (via mancity.com):
“Erling is never disappointed with his manager. As a manager I am more secure and more happy when Erling is on the pitch. I will keep him on the pitch all the time but at 0-3 the game was almost over and with this amount of games we have to take care of him.
“He had a big knock last game against Newcastle so that’s why after 0-3 the fantastic goal with the pass from Rico and after that it’s better.”
Haaland has been in prolific form this season and has scored 11 goals in nine games across competitions for Manchester City.