The Guardian (Nigeria)

Furious Fiorentina president chides Vlahovic over his financial demands

• Tielemans also linked to Arsenal

- Read the remaining part of this story on www. guardian. ng

ARSENAL target, Dusan Vlahovic, is demanding a £ 7 million fee to renew his contract at Fiorentina, according to furious club president, Rocco Commisso.

Vlahovic, 21, has recently emerged as one of the brightest young strikers in European football, netting 39 goals in his last 60 appearance­s for Fiorentina.

interested in bringing him to the Premier League in January, with Mikel Arteta on the hunt for a new frontman amid his fallout with P i e r r e - E m e r i c k Aubameyang.

However, the transfer may well cost them a staggering £ 150 million, as Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that they have been quoted a £ 58 million transfer fee by Fiorentina, while Vlahovic is demanding a five- year deal worth £ 300,000 per week.

It is also understood that the Serbia internatio­nal’s representa­tives want £ 15 million themselves in any potential deal.

And now, Commisso has opened up on Vlahovic’s excessive demands in an interview with the Financial Times, having already offered him a five- year contract worth £ 35 million at Fiorentina - which would make him the highest- paid player in their history.

But Commisso claims Vlahovic and his team are demanding hefty payments from suitors.

The Fiorentina chief said they are currently “under active considerat­ions as to what to do” with Vlahovic, before adding: “The more I live here, with this crazy sport, the more I realise how screwed up it is.”

Commisso also insisted he is by no means prepared to be “screwed by players.”

The report states that his anger towards Vlahovic stems from his agency - the

B e l g r a d e - b a s e d Internatio­nal Sports Office - demanding £ 7 million simply to renew his deal at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

They are also said to be requesting a 10 per cent cut of any future transfer fee from both Fiorentina and a buying club.

Arsenal will therefore have their work cut out in satisfying his representa­tives, although finances may not prove the only stumbling block.

It is believed Vlahovic, who has 18 months remaining on his Fiorentina contract, is also looking to play European football, something the Gunners cannot offer him right now.

Meanwhile, reports say Arsenal have met with Youri Tielemans’ representa­tives, as Mikel Arteta looks to make a move for the Leicester City star.

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