In a recent report, Calciomercato has claimed that West Ham United are set to rival Borussia Dortmund in pursuit of Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic. It is understood that the Hammers like the Serbian striker whose current contract at Artemio Franchi Stadium, expires in the summer of 2023 (via Calciomercato).
Vlahovic’s Decent Goal-Scoring Record At Florence
The Belgrad-born sensation is having a decent season in Italy after putting in a series of goal-scoring displays as the focal point of Cesare Prandelli’s attack. Vlahovic has been involved in 27 matches for the Florence outfit this term, banging in nine goals and providing one assist in multiple competitions.
The 21-year-old has struggled to be consistent with his all-round contributions in the final third as he is averaging 2.4 shots, 0.4 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game in Serie A. He has also given away the ball cheaply at times when distributing possession in the opposition half, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 67.5% in the Italian top tier (stats via whoscored).
Vlahovic has shown plenty of signs of maturity with his performances for Fiorentina this season, so it is no wonder that the Hammers are looking at him, probably as a suitable back-up to Michail Antonio at the London Stadium.
What Will The Serbian Marksman Bring To East London?
Standing at 1.90m, Vlahovic has a real presence about him and can win some important aerial duels deep inside the opponent’s half. He is proficient at generating space for himself to get some shots in on-target and is slowly transforming himself into a clinical finisher in front of the opposition goal.
The Serbian attacker packs a lot of power with his shot attempts but needs to improve his accuracy when linking up play with others around him. However, he is still quite raw and would need time to settle into the Premier League if West Ham decide to bring him to the London Stadium in the future.
Is Vlahovic The Right Fit For Moyes?
The Hammers are in dire need to recruit a new forward as Antonio remains Moyes’ only recognised forward at the club. A striker of Vlahovic’s goal-scoring prowess and potential could be a good move for the East London giants as he will add a lot of long-term value to their squad.
All in all, Vlahovic has the makings of a future star in European football and could prove to be a good fit for West Ham if they can win the race to acquire his services during the summer transfer window. At 21, he is a player on the rise and would undeniably add more depth and quality to Moyes’ frontline in the coming seasons.
