Manchester United are reportedly putting contingency plans in place should they sell one star this summer
Manchester United could save millions of pounds in the transfer market with a swoop for former Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this summer. United have reportedly placed the 26-year-old on their transfer wishlist, along with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins should they try to sign a new striker.
United have invested heavily in their forward line in recent years, with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee all moving to Old Trafford for considerable fees. However, United could revamp their front line again this summer, with ongoing uncertainty around Zirkzee’s future at the club.
The Dutch striker has struggled for consistency since his move to the club from Bologna, with Michael Carrick’s side preparing for a return to the Champions League. Several clubs are reportedly keen on signing Zirzkee, with Juventus, Roma and Como all believed to be keen.
All three clubs are said to be pushing for a loan arrangement, with either an obligation or option to buy included, despite United’s preference for an outright sale. If Zirkzee is sold before the deadline, United could move to bring in a new frontman.
It’s claimed by i News that Vlahovic, who is now a free agent after leaving Juventus earlier this summer, and Aston Villa’s Watkins are amongst the names under consideration. Vlahovic, of course, wouldn’t require a transfer fee.
Vlahovic’s contract in Turin expired earlier this summer and he’s already been connected to several clubs, including Barcelona. Turkish side Besiktas were also one of them, though that prospect now appears to have faded.
“Regarding Vlahovic, since the player is a free agent, the matter is in his hands,” Besiktas director of sport Onder Ozer admitted previously. “If he prefers one of the major five leagues, then Turkiye isn’t one of them. If an opportunity does arise for Vlahovic, then of course we would want to evaluate it as a club.
“He had the best season of his career with Vincenzo Italiano at Fiorentina and the coach still occasionally speaks with him. He has great respect for the coach.
“There is surely a desire to work with him again, but the priority for players isn’t choosing a coach, it’s choosing a contract. I imagine Vlahovic is expecting a big contract and a team competing in the Champions League.”
Former Fiorentina and Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli rated Vlahovic as one ‘one of the best strikers in Europe’ when asked about the Serbian striker.
“For me, he’s a champion,” he said in an interview with Tuttosport in September. “I’d like him to score even more goals: he’s one of the best strikers in Europe.
“But he shouldn’t shy away from the attack: there’s no point in asking him to link the play or contribute to the play.”
Watkins, meanwhile, has been frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford, though Villa are anticipated to demand a substantial fee for the England international, especially following the sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.
At present, neither Vlahovic nor Watkins are being actively targeted, at least while Zirkzee remains at the club. However, this could shift quickly should the former Bayern Munich and Bologna player edge closer to leaving.
Zirkzee arrived at United in a £36.5m transfer two years ago, but has netted only nine goals since then.
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