United target Vlahovic better than Haaland says his former sporting director
Manchester United are looking for a replacement for Edinson Cavani this summer. And with Anthony Martial likely to leave too, the number nine shirt awaits.
Erling Haaland is the striker most top clubs are eyeing up, and as a result, he is going to be the most difficult player to sign.
One top option is Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic, with The Mail reporting United have been scouting the £70m rated goalscorer.
According to Vlahovic’s former sporting director at Partizan Belgrade, he could be the better option anyway.
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Ivica Iliev told Mirror Football: “I am waiting for the moment he signs for a top top club, for me it is normal that every top club in the world wants him, I think the whole of Europe wants him, now I hope that he will sign for the best club for his career.
“I always watch him and think [he’s like] Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, maybe now in this moment Haaland is stronger physically but believe me, technically, Vlahovic is the better player.
“He can play like a second striker; you have more options with him than with Haaland and these two players will be head-to-head until the end of their careers.”
Vlahovic has been a big hit in Italy since leaving Partizan for Fiorentina in 2018, and has 20 goals in 23 games this season.
Champions League race may not be as big a factor
Missing out on the top four this season would likely kill off Manchester United’s chances of signing Erling Haaland.
The same may not apply with Dusan Vlahovic, who has never played in the Champions League with Fiorentina.
He would be more likely than Haaland to accept a move to United regardless of qualification next season, and trust that his chance in the competition with the Red Devils will come.
Vlahovic is one of the rare strikers who has got it all. The 21-year-old is good in the air, can use both feet, and has the movement of a veteran.
Last week he made Axel Tuanzebe look like a statue as he scored past the Napoli, and this is unlikely to have escaped United’s attention.
Vlahovic’s contract at Fiorentina expires in 2023, putting the club under pressure to sell this coming summer. It would be a clever move on United’s part to start preparing a move.
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