Erik ten Hag will be pleased to hear about the latest developments in Manchester United’s pursuit of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, as he seeks to significantly strengthen his attack in preparation for the 2023–24 season.

What will Dusan Vlahovic’s price be?
Having been linked to a move for the Serbian hitman earlier this summer, Italian news source Corriere dello Sport is reporting (via Man United News) that Juventus have lowered their asking price to just €65 million (£55 million), and this may tempt Ten Hag to make a move for the player.

The Serie A team had previously valued him at about €80 million (£68 million), according to the same publication, and while it still represents a significant sum of money, it is considerably less than had been anticipated.

According to The Athletic, the Old Trafford team attempted to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund for a players-plus-cash deal, but the Italian club rejected the offer because they are unwilling to lower their £86 million asking price for the youngster.

If a potential transfer during the transfer window doesn’t happen, Vlahovic could then prove to be the perfect replacement for Hojlund.

Was Dusan Vlahovic available to Manchester United?
Mason Mount from Chelsea was the only player the Red Devils brought in this summer, and while this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for improving Ten Hag’s attacking options, Ten Hag now needs a legitimate centre forward to join before the start of the following season.

The only players who scored more than ten goals for the team last season were Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, and the Dutchman will be searching for one or two more players who could join and improve this area.

United scored only 58 goals in 38 league games despite giving up just 43 goals, scoring less than all but two of the top ten teams, which makes a player with a high scoring potential even more necessary.

Despite not having the best season for Juventus compared to previous campaigns, Vlahovic still managed to score 14 goals and grab four assists across all competitions, and he could end up being a significant improvement over Anthony Martial, who only managed to contribute to 12 goals in comparison.

In fact, the Serbian not only scores more goals than Martial, but he also shoots at a higher rate per 90 minutes (3.12 vs. 2.26), has a higher number of touches in the attacking penalty area (144 vs. 58), and makes more progressive carries into the final third (29 vs. 15). This suggests that the Serbian’s game is more complex than just scoring goals, and he creates opportunities for others while also positioning himself well to shoot frequently.

Vlahovic, who has been dubbed a “monster” by journalist Carlo Garganese, offers a more well-rounded approach than Martial, as shown by the statistics, and is also capable of scoring more frequently. This should entice Ten Hag to make a move for him this summer.

The £55 million transfer fee may appear high at first glance, but considering the 23-year-old’s potential for growth at United and the value for money, it may be a smart move by the team.