Related Articles
Dusan Vlahovic will not be signing a new contract at Fiorentina in a sizeable boost to the striker’s transfer suitors, a list previously believed to include the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.
La Viola president Rocco Commisso has released an official statement revealing that the Serbian has been supplied with several contract offers that would have made him the club’s highest-paid player of all time, with nothing accepted.
Vlahovic is currently under contract at the Stadio Artemio Franchi until June 2023, with Fiorentina endeavouring to tie him down to an extension after he scored 21 goals in 37 Serie A appearances last season.
The need to secure the 21-year-old’s long-term future became even more pressing in light of constant speculation linking him with a move away from Italy, with Liverpool long since credited with an interest and Atletico Madrid reported to have bid for his services over the summer.
Arsenal, Juventus, AC Milan and Sevilla were among the other clubs mentioned in connection with Vlahovic, while Tottenham were also linked with signing the forward as a partner – rather than a replacement – for wantaway captain Harry Kane.
The race for his signature will now no doubt hot up once again ahead of the January transfer window after Commisso’s confirmation that there would be no new contract agreement.
“When I arrived in Florence, I promised the fans that I would be up front with them and that I would never make promises that I couldn’t keep,” the Fiorentina president said in a statement released via the club’s official website.
“I would therefore like to update the Fiorentina fans on an issue that has been much talked and spoken about in recent months – the question of Dusan Vlahovic’s contract.
“As you know, Fiorentina made a very significant offer to the player. Our proposal would have made him the highest paid player in the history of the club.
“We also improved our offer on a number of occasions in order to accommodate the requests of both Dusan and his entourage. However, despite our efforts, those offers have not been accepted.
“During my time in Florence over the past few weeks, I have personally endeavoured to find a solution that would make both the player and the club happy, but I am disappointed to say that our efforts and attempts have not been rewarded.
“At this point, all that we can do is acknowledge the wishes of the player and his entourage and quickly identify feasible, appropriate solutions as we proceed with this exciting new season.
“In any case, Dusan Vlahovic has a contract linking him to Fiorentina for the next 21 months. We have no doubt that the player will – as he always has – do his bit to help the team achieve its objectives, showing the same level of professionalism he has shown since he arrived in Florence, with the utmost respect from our fans, his team-mates, the coach and the club as a whole.”
Read More
Tottenham in talks with Argentina, Brazil and Colombia over releasing players early from international duty
Tottenham squad more valuable than Arsenal’s as rivals lag behind title favourites, new study claims
Serge Aurier: Villarreal sign Ivorian defender after Tottenham exit
Tottenham’s South American quartet free to play following international duty
Eric Dier: 100 per cent we believe in Nuno Espirito Santo’s plan for Tottenham and we showed that against Villa
Source link
