Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to sign in-demand Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the Serie A outfit following a prolific 2021 which has seen him outscored by only Robert Lewandowski in top-flight league football this calendar year.
A host of clubs are understood to be interested in his signature, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus among those keeping tabs on the situation.
Vlahovic has already rejected the most lucrative contract offer in Fiorentina's history, forcing La Viola to consider cashing in on their star asset next year before he enters the final 12 months of his current deal.
Fiorentina have reportedly placed a €100m (£85m) price tag on the Serbia international, a sum Newcastle United are allegedly willing to meet in an attempt to steal a march on their rivals.
However, La Repubblica reports that Man City are still leading the race for his signature and that their pursuit is being driven by manager Pep Guardiola, who regards Vlahovic to be an ideal replacement for Sergio Aguero.
The report also states that the cost of signing Vlahovic is unlikely to decrease despite his contract running down, with his continued good form increasing his wage demands.
The youngster has directly contributed to 19 goals in as many games for Fiorentina this season, while he has scored 34 goals in 44 games across all competitions in 2021.
Barney Corkhill
