With the summer transfer window approaching, Aston Villa now reportedly lead the race to sign a Champions League striker who would cost them just over £33m in the coming months.
Aston Villa set to finally replace Duran
If those in the Midland believed that Unai Emery's attacking options were too good to be true at the start of the season then they were quickly proven right in the January transfer window. The Villans were spoilt for choice with both Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran - both of whom were in excellent form in the opening stages of the season - but it was not a luxury that the latter appreciated.
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They could land an absolute bargain...
Often forced to perform in cameo roles as Emery's super sub, Duran headed for the exit door in January, swapping the Midlands for Saudi Arabia and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr side. And whilst since then Marco Asensio has joined Marcus Rashford to add more firepower to their frontline, Villa need a permanent solution away from their loan deals.
With money still to burn from Duran's sale, a fresh attacking option could be on the cards given recent links to previous target Joao Felix and now another Serie A star.
joao-felix-ac-milan-serie-a
According to TeamTalk, Aston Villa are now leading the race to sign Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus this summer ahead of their Premier League rivals. The Serbian striker has gradually fallen down the pecking order in Turn and new manager Igor Tudor has now reportedly been told to hand him game time in an attempt to maximise his value.
As things stand, Vlahovic is worth just €40m (£33.5m) in what would hand Villa the chance to land an undeniable bargain. Emery has already helped both Asensio and Rashford rediscover their best form and could now take a gamble on Vlahovic before doing the same next season.
"Amazing" Vlahovic needs Aston Villa move
Villa Park is the place to be for struggling stars to rediscover their golden touch and that may not be any different for Vlahovic. It's worth noting that, even amid criticism as Juventus, the Serbia international has still scored 14 goals in all competitions in a record that could only improve given that he's just 25 years old.
It wasn't so long ago that the forward found himself at the centre of praise either, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig describing the Juventus man as "simply an amazing centre-forward when fully fit" midway through last season.
Juventus already made one mistake by letting Dean Huijsen leave for the Premier League last summer, before watching the defender thrive at Bournemouth. Now, a year on, Villa could take full advantage of their exit door swinging open once again as Vlahovic desperately seeks the chance to get back to his best.