Barcelona have reportedly identified coveted Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic as the ideal candidate to spearhead the attack next season. Per Sique Rodriguez, via SER’s Carrusel Deportivo, the Catalans are ready to make the Serbia international their marquee summer signing.
It’s been a nightmarish start to life without Lionel Messi for Barcelona so far. In the wake of the club icon’s summer departure, the Blaugrana have failed to make it out of the Champions League group stages for the first time in 21 years. Things are not looking any better in domestic affairs, as Barca are currently languishing in mid-table, a staggering 15 points adrift of pacesetters Real Madrid.
A poor start to the season saw Barcelona part with the now ex-manager Ronald Koeman over a month ago and bring in the club legend Xavi Hernandez to shape up a new era at Camp Nou. However, there’s a feeling that this is Barca’s weakest team in the 21st century, and there’s not much the former midfielder can do this season.
Following Sergio Aguero’s announcement of a premature retirement after being diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, Barcelona are on the lookout for a new striker to reinforce a depleted attacking department. The struggling La Liga giants are keen to add a new center-forward in the January transfer market. But due to a financial turmoil at Camp Nou, only low-cost solutions will come under consideration.
By contrast, Barcelona will be looking to capture a top-class striker at the end of the season. They are long-term admirers of Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, though there’s a host of Europe’s top clubs aiming to beat them to the Norwegian’s signature. Haaland is one of the hottest properties on the market, with almost every top European side having him on their radars.
Therefore, Barcelona have explored other possibilities, with Vlahovic emerging as one of the most exciting profiles. The 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength at Fiorentina over the past couple of seasons, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most highly-rated up-and-coming strikers.
Like his Dortmund counterpart Haaland, Vlahovic has attracted attention from plenty of European heavyweights, including Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Given his contractual situation at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Fiorentina will likely listen to offers for their headline performer come the summer of 2022. But it will take a sizeable bid to tempt La Viola into selling their top scorer.