According to La Repubblica, Pep Guardiola wants Dusan Vlahovic at Manchester City. The Spanish manager is said to be a fan of the Fiorentina striker. The Citizens were not able to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham in the summer, as a result, City’s search for a striker continues. However, Vlahovic has caught the eye of Guardiola and many other big clubs around Europe.
Manchester City’s failed pursuit of Harry Kane has led them with only one striker this season and that is Gabriel Jesus. However, Guardiola has favoured playing Jesus on the right more than as a striker. Currently, City have midfielders who can play the ‘False-9 role’ brilliantly. They are even 2nd on the table with just one point behind league leaders Chelsea. Nevertheless, Guardiola wants a striker who can finish as many chances as he gets. Following which, Manchester City are desperate to get the signature of Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian international is in fine form this season. He has netted the ball 14 times in 16 appearances, in all competitions this season. While Vlahovic was linked with many big clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United this summer. Moreover, he is just 21-year-old and has all the qualities that a manager wants in a striker. Pep Guardiola thinks of him as the perfect man to lead the City attack in coming years.
Why Pep Guardiola wants Dusan Vlahovic?
Dusan Vlahovic is a proper striker and has great finishing abilities. He is also very good in aerial duels and a threat in set-pieces. However, he has a few weaknesses like holding onto the ball, defensive contribution and distribution of the ball. Nevertheless, these problems will all get solved under a coach like Pep Guardiola. City is a team that creates many chances in a match and sometimes fails to finish those chances. As a result, City needs a striker who can finish 10 out of 10 or at least 8 out of 10 chances.
Sergio Aguero was one striker City had previously who guaranteed goals. However, the Premier League legend had to leave the club to find more game time. Aguero joined Barcelona but did not feature as much and had to retire due to heart problems. The Citizens currently have Gabriel Jesus as their number 9, however, Guardiola has started him more on the right-wing than as a striker. Even though Jesus started on the right, he has done pretty well in that position. Yet the striker position remains vacant. This is where Dusan Vlahovic comes in and solves the striker issues City are facing.
What City will have to be kept in mind before approaching Vlahovic?
Dusan Vlahovic has a contract till June 2023 and a €70 million price tag if he does not extend the contract. The Serbian international has refused a contract offer from Fiorentina. As a result, the club may be forced to sell the striker instead of letting him go for free. Atletico Madrid tried to sign Vlahovic by offering €50million + €10million add ons in August. However, both the club and the player refused the offer. If City are desperate enough then they will have to propose a better deal than Atletico did. The Citizens will have to agree to some of the conditions of the player and club to get Vlahovic’s services for Guardiola.
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