Dusan Vlahovic, Juve’s top scorer this season, experienced a frustrating 2025 under Thiago Motta. With Project Motta done and dusted, the Serbia star has a new lease of life under interim head coach Igor Tudor.
Tudor, a former defender and assistant manager with the Bianconeri, is an avid fan of Vlahovic. The Croatian firmly believes that the 25-year-old is the best forward in Serie A.
Premier League bosses Ruben Amorim (Manchester United), Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and Eddie Howe (Newcastle United) would probably not argue with Tudor’s bold statement about Vlahovic.
The trio of English clubs are all potentially plotting a summer swoop for Vlahovic, although his future destination will largely depend on who offers European soccer next term. Surely the chance to compete in the Champions League would appeal the most.
No interest in Saudi Pro League
He already turned down January overtures to move to the Saudi Pro League, where they would at least match his staggering salary at Juventus, as there was no chance of competing in the coveted continental competition. Vlahovic is the top earner in the Italian top tier with an annual salary of €12 million (US$13m).
Although Vlahovic’s contract runs until 30 June 2026, the club could try to cash in although that’s not a certainty. Should Tudor extend his deal to become the head coach for the 2025/26 campaign, then Vlahovic may opt to stay with the Turin titans.
Being exiled by Motta has resulted in Vlahovic’s January value being halved to his current asking price of €40m (US$43.2m). If he plays regularly during Tudor’s nine Serie A matches, and he did start in their 1-0 success over Genoa last weekend, then his price tag would undoubtedly increase.
Giving Motta the boot last month cost the club €15m (US$16.2m), although there was a cash injection to cover this amount. Yet Juventus are not as cash-rich as previous seasons, they have no main sponsorship deal and are desperately chasing a lucrative place in next season’s Champions League. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup finals, which kick off in mid-June, at least offer rich pickings.
Vlahovic’s staggering salary is unlikely to be a stumbling block for any Premier League outfit, especially if they can land him for a bargain price. As he could run down his contract and leave for free, Juventus will eagerly listen to any offers.
Waiting for permanent head coach
Understandably Vlahovic is waiting patiently to learn who will lead Juventus next term, and it is believed that he is unwilling to sign a new deal with reduced terms. That could easily alter if the club are going to be ambitious as Juventus investor Paolo Ardoino claims with a world-class head coach who is a serial winner.
As it stands, the English top tier beckons for Vlahovic. A Premier League top four finish guarantees a Champions League berth, fifth place and the FA Cup winners will contest next season’s Europa while Newcastle United are already guaranteed a place in the Conference League.
Should Newcastle end the season in the top five, they will be promoted from the Conference League. Howe masterminded a shock 2-1 Carabao Cup final triumph over Liverpool to win their first trophy since 1969, which earned the club European soccer next term.
Howe is resigned to losing Sweden international Alexander Isak to a Premier League rival, with Arsenal his most likely destination this summer.
The Gunners had been tracking Vlahovic, who turned them down in 2022 to switch from Fiorentina to Juventus, but they are now focused on Isak as he is proven in the English top-flight.
English clubs tracking Vlahovic
Newcastle are majority owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), so are super ambitious. Howe will be required to bolster their attack if Isak leaves, with Vlahovic’s price tag a real snip as Isak is valued at a whopping €150m (US$162m).
With the Premier League top three as good as secured by runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool, second-placed Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, there’s a seven-club race hotting up to secure European soccer next season.
Only five points divides fourth-placed Manchester City down to AFC Bournemouth in 10th position. Aston Villa, who lie ninth and are in the FA Cup semi-finals, are showing a serious interest in Vlahovic as England striker Ollie Watkins could be on the move to Arsenal.
Colombia hot-shot Jhon Duran left Villa for big bucks during the winter transfer window to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Emery was swift to replace the 21-year-old as he urgently required more firepower to tackle the rest of the season. He brought in temporary loanees Marco Asensio (PSG) and Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
Emery revitalizes fallen stars
The wily Spanish head coach has a history of rejuvenating players. Whizzy winger Asensio, who can be implemented in an attacking midfielder role, has been scoring for fun while Rashford appears to have just rediscovered his shooting skills after bagging a brace in Villa’s 3-0 FA Cup success over Preston North End.
Villa remain in the Champions League, the FA Cup and are in with a shout of a top four finish. How they fare between now and the end of the campaign will determine their attacking signings. Rashford would cost the club €150m (US$162m), while Vlahovic is available at a fraction of the price to become Watkin’s permanent replacement.
Manchester United are more of an outside chance to become Vlahovic’s next destination. Amorim’s side are in the Europa League quarter-finals, but if United win the tournament they will earn a place in the Champions League for next season.
Vlahovic’s physicality and consistency to score with precision rather than power would suit the fast-paced Premier League. Yet he could remain in Serie A next season should Juve decide to sell their prized asset to Inter Milan, or the club has a head coach who believes in the Serbia striker.