Dusan Vlahovic’s time at Juventus is coming to an end and the Serbian striker could become one of this summer’s most wanted free agents.
Negotiations over a new contract broke down, with Juventus unable to match Vlahovic’s desired salary.
Manager Giorgio Chiellini also confirmed the forward’s plans to leave, ending a spell that began when Juve signed him from Fiorentina in 2022 for more than €80 million.
The main problem was money. According to reports, Juventus offered Vlahovic a take-home pay of around 6.5 million euros per season, but the striker wanted to keep his salary close to his current salary, which includes a base salary of 8 million euros and additional bonuses.
The gap proved too large for Juventus, who are trying to get their finances under control, especially after missing out on Champions League qualification.
Chelsea in contact to sign Vlahovic
From a Premier League perspective, this is where things get really interesting.
Chelsea are said to be one of the top candidates after contacting the club, while sources close to the agent industry say Newcastle are also looking for a strong No. 9. catch off side.
Tottenham and Manchester United have also been linked, and it’s easy to see why.
Vlahovic is physical, left-footed and experienced, but he is only 26 years old.
He has also scored over 12 goals in each of the past four seasons, making him an attractive player in a market where proven strikers are very expensive.
The problem is that “free transportation” doesn’t actually mean cheap. Vlahovic will likely want a high salary and signing bonus, which could exclude clubs seeking to control their wage structure.
Europe’s top clubs pursue Serie A attacker
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Napoli and Milan have been named outside England, but Serie A clubs could struggle to compete financially.
An offer from Saudi Arabia has reportedly already been rejected, suggesting Vlahovic still wants to remain at Europe’s top level.
It’s a great opportunity for Vlahovic, but it also comes with risks. Through talent alone, he improves most teams. However, the club will need to be careful if his salary becomes too high.
Chelsea and Newcastle would probably make the most sense if they are prepared to pay a high price.
For others, the deal hinges on Vlahovic lowering his demands or turning this summer into a financial auction.
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