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Chelsea target Dusan Vlahovic is the ‘extraordinary’ Juventus striker who overcame childhood trauma to become Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s ‘heir’
Dusan Vlahovic is already considered one of the world’s best young forwards and he’s only 23. talkSPORT understands the Juventus striker has been targeted by Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea this summer as they look to add an elite goalscorer. Vlahovic could be the man Chelsea need to lead the line for many yearsGettyHe hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at JuventusGettyThe Blues only scored 38 goals in the Premier League last season, and though the Serbian international didn’t enjoy his best campaign, he has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer. The Serie A giants are looking for £70million to sell the 6ft 3 forward during the transfer window. The striker was born in Belgrade, one year after the Yugoslav Wars ended and Kosovo became an independent country that Serbia refuses to recognise to this day. The war tore several countries and families apart, and Vlahovic’s elder brother was one of hundreds of thousands who lost their lives in the fighting. Growing up without an elder brother in a country and city that had been ravaged by war had a lasting impact on Vlahovic. But sports quickly dominated his life, and as well as being a keen basketball player, Vlahovic quickly established himself as one of the best young footballing talents in Serbia. Vlahovic’s career took off at FiorentinaGettyThe forward was initially picked up by Red Star Belgrade before moving to inner-city rivals Partizan. At Partizan, he rose through the ranks and made his league debut at 16. He became the club’s youngest debutant, goalscorer and participant in the Belgrade derby, so he has played in some of the most intense atmospheres possible. But he only managed 27 senior appearances and scored three goals before Fiorentina picked him up for less than £3m in the summer of 2018. While in Florence, Vlahovic became one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers. He didn’t immediately play with the first team, but after one year in Fiorentina’s reserves, the club promoted the forward, and the 2020/21 season was when he made his mark. The striker played 37 league games, scoring 21 goals as the Viola just stayed in Serie A. Vlahovic’s form from the August 2020 until January 2022 was sensationalGettyErling Haaland was the only player aged under 22 to score more league goals than him that season. As a result, Europe’s big boys, including Arsenal and Real Madrid, registered their interest, but Vlahovic remained in Florence. Things peaked when he encountered his football idol and AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He was seen as his ‘heir‘ at the San Siro and the two shared a nice moment. Speaking to the Italian press, he said: “Zlatan told me in Serbian ‘Don’t give up, go ahead’ and wrote me a message in our language on the shirt. “Every match against Milan has something special for me, because everyone knows the stories about Ibrahimovic, who is my idol. “He is a great champion, one of the best strikers I’ve ever played in football but I still have a lot to do to get closer to his level. “I try to have my own path, to work more on myself, to improve myself and to try to get the best results.” Vlahovic’s idol is IbrahimovichHe then rattled in 17 goals in 21 games during the opening of the 2021/22 campaign and could no longer be ignored. Vlahovic’s grace and style with the ball, coupled with the eye for a pass and a lethal left foot, made him a top target for Arsenal and Juventus. The Gunners came forward with an offer, but Juventus agreed a £67million deal for the Serbian, and he joined the Old Lady. He made a strong start to life in Turin, with seven goals in 15 games. However, an injury-hit 2022/23 season limited Vlahovic’s effectiveness, but despite this, he is still considered ‘extraordinary‘ by one of Eastern Europe’s greatest players Dragan Stojkovic. So should Pochettino get his hands on him, the rest of the Premier League and Europe better watch out because Vlahovic has all the talent to go to the very top. talkSPORT BET Offer Of The Day Bet £20 Get £20 In Free Bets – CLAIM HERE 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £20 on any sport at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 2x £10 Free Bets on any sports market. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly SEE ALL FREE BETS HERE
Dusan Vlahovic is already considered one of the world’s best young forwards and he’s only 23.
talkSPORT understands the Juventus striker has been targeted by Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea this summer as they look to add an elite goalscorer.
The Blues only scored 38 goals in the Premier League last season, and though the Serbian international didn’t enjoy his best campaign, he has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer.
The Serie A giants are looking for £70million to sell the 6ft 3 forward during the transfer window.
The striker was born in Belgrade, one year after the Yugoslav Wars ended and Kosovo became an independent country that Serbia refuses to recognise to this day.
The war tore several countries and families apart, and Vlahovic’s elder brother was one of hundreds of thousands who lost their lives in the fighting.
Growing up without an elder brother in a country and city that had been ravaged by war had a lasting impact on Vlahovic.
But sports quickly dominated his life, and as well as being a keen basketball player, Vlahovic quickly established himself as one of the best young footballing talents in Serbia.
The forward was initially picked up by Red Star Belgrade before moving to inner-city rivals Partizan.
At Partizan, he rose through the ranks and made his league debut at 16.
He became the club’s youngest debutant, goalscorer and participant in the Belgrade derby, so he has played in some of the most intense atmospheres possible.
But he only managed 27 senior appearances and scored three goals before Fiorentina picked him up for less than £3m in the summer of 2018.
While in Florence, Vlahovic became one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers.
He didn’t immediately play with the first team, but after one year in Fiorentina’s reserves, the club promoted the forward, and the 2020/21 season was when he made his mark.
The striker played 37 league games, scoring 21 goals as the Viola just stayed in Serie A.
Erling Haaland was the only player aged under 22 to score more league goals than him that season.
As a result, Europe’s big boys, including Arsenal and Real Madrid, registered their interest, but Vlahovic remained in Florence.
Things peaked when he encountered his football idol and AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He was seen as his ‘heir‘ at the San Siro and the two shared a nice moment.
Speaking to the Italian press, he said: “Zlatan told me in Serbian ‘Don’t give up, go ahead’ and wrote me a message in our language on the shirt.
“Every match against Milan has something special for me, because everyone knows the stories about Ibrahimovic, who is my idol.
“He is a great champion, one of the best strikers I’ve ever played in football but I still have a lot to do to get closer to his level.
“I try to have my own path, to work more on myself, to improve myself and to try to get the best results.”
He then rattled in 17 goals in 21 games during the opening of the 2021/22 campaign and could no longer be ignored.
Vlahovic’s grace and style with the ball, coupled with the eye for a pass and a lethal left foot, made him a top target for Arsenal and Juventus.
The Gunners came forward with an offer, but Juventus agreed a £67million deal for the Serbian, and he joined the Old Lady.
He made a strong start to life in Turin, with seven goals in 15 games.
However, an injury-hit 2022/23 season limited Vlahovic’s effectiveness, but despite this, he is still considered ‘extraordinary‘ by one of Eastern Europe’s greatest players Dragan Stojkovic.
So should Pochettino get his hands on him, the rest of the Premier League and Europe better watch out because Vlahovic has all the talent to go to the very top.
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