Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso has underlined his desire to keep Dusan Vlahovic amid the reported interest from Tottenham and Manchester City.
The Serbia international has long been linked with a move to Spurs, who may be forced to market for a striker due to Harry Kane’s possible loss to City in this transfer window.
However, it was reported on Wednesday that Pep Guardiola’s men may well be looking to take out the middle man and simply target the prolific Vlahovic themselves.
It doesn’t seem like a particularly straightforward decision either, with Fiorentina determined to keep their star man.
“I said from day one that I wanted to keep Vlahovic, just like I did with Federico Chiesa,” Commisso told the forward, whose contract expires in 2023, to ANSA.
“I spoke to Vlahovic the other day and I think he wants to stay in Florence, but when the family, the agents and the deals get involved…
“You never know where it’s going to go, but I hope and think he stays.”
Commisso has recently been criticized for his handling of Fiorentina since the club’s buyout ended in 2019.
However, while the Italian-born businessman called last season “disappointing”, he defended his overall record at the helm.
“It’s just that I remind them that when I took power, Fiorentina was in 16th place and within a year I took them to 10th position,” he added.
“No other foreign owner, having bought one of Serie A’s most important clubs, has managed to improve their level by six places in the first year.
“As I have said on several occasions, last season was a disappointment, but that does not entitle anyone to talk about a failed project, because it is not true.
“If someone wants to kick me out of Florence, then go ahead and buy the Fiorentina. I don’t see anyone approaching Viola’s gate with money in hand. So far, all I’ve heard , that’s cheap gossip. “
