Sources: Liverpool hold advanced talks with agent of player that models himself on Erling Haaland

Liverpool will not be able to afford Erling Haaland this summer and so should target Dusan Vlahovic, who models himself on the Norwegian.

There's no doubt about it. Erling Haaland is the dream striker. The 20-year-old is so good it almost feels like the football gods dreamt him up in a laboratory.

The Borussia Dortmund no.9 operates with a ridiculous efficiency that managers all around the world are envious of. He's scored 37 goals and assisted 11 in 38 games this season, making his goal/assist to game ratio 1:1.2.

Haaland's brace against Wolfsburg at the weekend showcased the power and clinical finishing that define his game as he and his teammates desperately chase Champions League qualification for next season.

While Haaland is the ideal centre forward, he'll cost interested clubs a reported fee in the region of €180million.

Which is why Liverpool were linked with Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic, who will cost a lot less at €40million (£34m). Inside Futbol now claim that the Reds have held talks with his agent while AC Milan and AS Roma are also interested in signing the forward.

That's not to say that the 'Purple Bomber' is not an exciting player - he is. In Serie A, he has scored 17 goals this season, including some absolutely sensational strikes.

His third goal against Benevento was a peach. He muscled off a defender and coolly controlled a goal kick before sliding past his man and then, under pressure from three defenders, he curled the ball into the top corner from all of 30 yards.

"Not a big presser. But so clinical, strong in duels, smart and has amazing anticipation. Love him as a player."

Liverpool have never featured a traditional target man under Jurgen Klopp but someone like Vlahovic offers so much more than standing underneath goal kicks. His technical ability is on a par with the likes of Haaland - he's just slower.

At a fraction of Haaland's huge price tag - he would cost just 22% of what it would require to sign the Norwegian - Liverpool would sign one of Serie A's most impressive players from the 2020/21 season.

Liverpool need to add a centre-forward this summer so that Jurgen Klopp's side has a focal point.

Firmino is a talented player and so fun to watch at times but his inability to contribute in a tangible way is costing the Reds big time this season.