Dusan Vlahovic, who has finished top scorer in all three seasons at Juventus, has turned down moves to both the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Super Lig.
Talks have stalled about a contract extension with the Bianconeri, as the club have proposed a substantial drop in salary. That has resulted in the Serbia international adamant that he prefers to ply his trade in the cash-rich Premier League, rather than join a rival Serie A like AC Milan or Inter Milan.
Speculation that Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United or Newcastle United and other Premier League clubs could be his next destination remain just rumors. His ridiculously generous annual salary of €12 million (US$14m), and a substantial transfer fee has so far deterred English top tier teams.
The fact that he becomes a free agent next summer, means that the 25-year-old would cost his next club nothing. He appears to be digging his heels in at Juventus, and is prepared to be a benchwarmer to take home a hefty paycheck.
That’s a dangerous game to play with next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, as lack of minutes could jeopardize his selection in the Serbia starting XI.
Big bucks to spend
Villarreal have money to make a marquee signing, having recently sold Alex Baena to Atletico Madrid and Thierno Barry to Everton.
The Castellon team collected €42m (US$49.1m) for Spanish midfielder Baena and €32m (US$37.4m) for French striker Barry.
With such a huge amount of money available following the sales of two pivotal players, and desperately in need of a new center forward, Vlahovic could be the perfect fit for the Spanish side’s Champions League involvement and tackling La Liga.
Vlahovic joins wanted list
Villarreal head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral will be exploring other attacking options with Portuguese forward Fabio Silva at the same sort of price as Vlahovic but would command a much cheaper wage.
Silva was loaned out to Las Palmas last season by Wolverhampton Wanderers, and bagged 10 La Liga goals in 24 appearances. This was an impressive feat as the team finished second from bottom of the division to suffer relegation.
The 22-year-old can also be utilized on the left wing and as a secondary striker, with Wolves looking content to cash in on the youngster who last played for them in November 2023.
Yet Vlahovic’s scoring stats speak volumes, having been a hit at Fiorentina before switching Serie A sides to Juventus. If Villarreal want a proven goalscorer who is industrious with a physical prowess to unnerve defenders, then Vlahovic definitely ticks all of those boxes.