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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Erik ten Hag handed huge Man Utd boost with Harry Kane back-up option now 'available'

Manchester United have been given a green light to go in for Dusan Vlahovic, with Juventus going back on earlier claims he was not for sale.

Serbian striker Vlahovic only joined Juve in January 2022 after impressing with Fiorentina. He had previously attracted interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal particularly keen, and has more recently emerged as a potential back-up with United opting against a move for Harry Kane.

Juve bosses had insisted the 23-year-old isn't for sale, despite the Bianconeri missing out on Champions League qualification. Now, though, it appears things have changed ahead of a potentially busy summer.

"Rumours are not something we can control, but the transfer market hasn’t even opened yet," Juve's chief football officer Francesco Calvo told DAZN in May. "Dusan is not for sale.

"We are satisfied with the effort he puts in, although everyone in life can do better," Calvo added. Vlahovic finished last season as Juventus' top scorer, though his 14 goals in all competitions represented a drop-off from the 29 he bagged for Juve and Fiorentina the previous campaign.

Now, according to Relevo, the tide may have turned. Vlahovic and fellow forward Federico Chiesa are said to be considered "not non-transferrable," with Juve prepared to listen to offers for the pair.

Should Man Utd move for Vlahovic? Have your say in the comments section

Dusan Vlahovic finished last season as Juventus' top scorer (AFP via Getty Images)

Kane had appeared to be one of Man Utd's prime targets this summer, along with Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Atalanta youngster Rasmus Hojlund. However, Spurs' demands for the England captain have been deemed "unrealistic" for a player with just one year left on his contract.

Like Juventus, Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification. While the London side finished down in eighth in the Premier League, the Turin outfit would have finished in Italy's top four were it not for a points deduction.

Kane, who turns 30 in July, equalled his best ever Premier League return last season when he scored his 30th league goal on the final day of the campaign.

However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is thought to be prepared to let the star striker leave on a free next summer if demands are not met over a permanent exit.

"[Kane] can absolutely win a trophy at Spurs," Levy said in April “But being a legend is also important. The fact that he's top scorer of Tottenham Hotspur - he's making history. I hope one day that there is a statue of Harry Kane outside our stadium."

Man Utd and Spurs are due to face off in North London in the second weekend of the season, giving Kane a chance to remind Erik teh Hag of his quality in front of goal. The Red Devils will first face a home meeting with Wolves, while they also face last season's runners-up Arsenal within their opening four games.

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