Tottenham set to win Dusan Vlahovic transfer race and pay record fee

Antonio Conte satisfied despite stalemate

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Tottenham have reportedly beaten off competition from Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester City to sign Dusan Vlahovic for a club record transfer fee. Vlahovic has emerged as one of the hottest strikers in European football since joining Fiorentina from Partizan Belgrade.

The Serbian star scored 21 goals in Serie A last season, almost 45 per cent of his side’s league strikes in that campaign.

He has continued that fine form this term, scoring 10 goals in 13 games in all competitions, to help La Viola to seventh place and into the second round of the Coppa Italia.

It is not only for his club where Vlahovic has been on the goal trail though, with his country also benefitting from his hot form.

He has found the back of the net seven times in 13 games for Serbia, including a goal in Thursday’s hammering of Qatar.

His performances have drawn the interest of several top European clubs, with Vlahovic’s name appearing on the target list for Juve, Arsenal, Spurs and City among others.

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And making a transfer even more likely is the fact that he will enter the final year of his contract at the end of this season.

So far, the 21-year-old has refused to entertain talks over a new deal, meaning Fiorentina will have to sell him either in January or next summer in order to cash in.

Serie A giants Juve were thought to be the frontrunners to sign Vlahovic, but have been unable to raise sufficient funds to make a move as of yet.

That has opened the door to their rivals for Vlahovic’s signature, with North London rivals Arsenal and Spurs the two frontrunners.

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And in a major boost to new Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, Corriere dello Sport report that his side are the favourites to complete a deal.

It is stated that they were prepared to break the bank to bring him in last summer, but were unable to get a deal done.

With Conte now installed as manager and Fabio Paratici having been appointed managing director of football, Spurs have a direct line to Fiorentina.

The Serie A side are said to be desperate to avoid letting Vlahovic join arch-rivals Juve, having already lost Federico Chiesa to the Turin side.

That means that a move abroad is much preferred, with Tottenham also keen to bring in a new striker.

Harry Kane is currently the only recognised striker in Conte’s squad, but he has been badly out of form making a new option a priority.

It is stated that it will take a fee in the region of £68million to bring in Vlahovic, which would smash Tottenham’s previous record for a transfer.

If the move is indeed completed, then it is a huge boost to Conte, whose new squad is in need of a serious upgrade.
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