Chelsea and Man Utd Dealt Major Blow In Their Pursuit of Serie A Star

Chelsea and Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of a striker as they have been informed that he is “not for sale” this summer.

Erik ten Hag is eager to secure a new talisman for the upcoming season. While Marcus Rashford has performed well under the Dutch boss, the team has lacked consistent goal-scoring options.

Wout Weghorst has struggled to find form, and Anthony Martial has been sidelined for the majority of the season due to injury.

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As a result, names like Victor Osimhen from Napoli and Harry Kane from Tottenham have been linked with potential moves to bolster the striking department.

However, the hefty price tags associated with these players, exceeding £100 million, have prompted Ten Hag to explore alternative options.

One player who had been considered is Dusan Vlahovic, the forward from Juventus. Recent reports suggested that the Serbian could be available at a discounted price of around £60 million, given the financial situation at the Italian club.

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Nevertheless, Juventus’ sporting director, Francesco Calvo, has made it clear that the 23-year-old will not be sold this summer.

Calvo addressed the rumors, stating, “The rumors are uncontrollable, but the market hasn’t started yet. Dusan is not for sale, we are satisfied with the commitment he puts in, then in life we can always do better” (via GetFootballNewsItaly).

Vlahovic’s appeal to clubs like Manchester United is evident. The Serbian forward has netted 19 goals for his club and country this season, while also providing five assists.

Furthermore, he has outperformed his expected goals (xG), showcasing his clinical finishing ability. However, with Juventus’ firm stance, Manchester United may need to reassess their options.

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So, where does Manchester United turn next in their search for a talismanic striker? Undoubtedly, they require a prolific goalscorer to bridge the gap with teams above them in the Premier League.

The club has scored 52 goals this season, significantly less than other top-six teams.

Harry Kane presents an obvious solution, given his proven track record in the Premier League. Even in a struggling Tottenham side this season, Kane has managed to find the net 28 times.

In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Kane excels in link-up play, a quality highly valued by Ten Hag. It is no surprise that he would be a popular addition to the squad at Old Trafford.

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However, negotiating with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, known for driving a hard bargain, will likely pose a challenge for Manchester United, despite Kane’s contract expiring in 2024.

While Vlahovic could still be an option for Manchester United, Calvo’s recent statements indicate that completing the deal will be more difficult.

Chelsea has also shown interest in the 23-year-old, as both clubs are in dire need of a striker for the upcoming season.

It would not be surprising to witness a tussle between the two clubs for the same targets in the coming months.