Dusan Vlahovic is a gem of a center forward, a coveted position that can make or break a club’s success. Although his scoring ability has never been questioned, he has not been as prolific as he was at Fiorentina.
The Serbia star rejected a move to Arsenal to switch to Juventus in January 2022, and finished as the club’s leading scorer over the past three seasons.
His lucrative Juve deal, worth a staggering €12 million (US$14m) a season and expires next June, bothers the club’s hierarchy. Vlahovic has rejected extending his contract, because the club would dramatically reduce his steep salary.
Rather than allow him to leave as a free agent next summer, Juventus have been desperately trying to offload him to no avail.
The 25-year-old keeps turning down approaches from both the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Super Lig, and yearns to compete in the Premier League.
Vlahovic’s agent Darko Ristic visited England last month in a bid to broker a deal, but salary demands on top of the transfer fee deterred the Premier League clubs.
Although Newcastle United have shown some renewed interest, as they were clearly short of firepower following their dull scoreless draw at Aston Villa and with striker Alexander Isak absent because of his link to a Liverpool transfer.
Vlahovic has impressed during his brief pre-season friendly appearances, and scored three goals to put himself in the summer transfer window.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Villarreal are exploring a cut-price deal for Vlahovic, while his former Juve boss Max Allegri is keen for the pair to reunite at AC Milan.
Juventus appreciate that Milan are ambitious this season after last term’s disappointment. However, Allegri is desperate for a proven target man and allowing Vlahovic to join a rival would be perceived as a foolish move.
The fact that Tudor has previously referred to Vlahovic as the best striker in Serie A, and that once unleashed in a Juve jersey he is a reliable goalscorer, means that the club appear reluctant to relinquish such a prized asset.
David broke Juve duck with aplomb
New center forward Jonathan David was slow to score his first Juve goal, but when he found the net against Atalanta it was something special. An impromptu aerobatic bicycle kick strike.
Tudor has not just the Serie A to tackle but also the Champions League. Should striker Kolo Muani not arrive on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and the club allow Vlahovic to leave, Juve are going to have to rely on goal poacher David.
Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz are attacking wingers who can also score goals, while others would need to chip in.
Keeping Vlahovic makes sense if Tudor wants to achieve a top four finish, and still be at the helm next season, meaning that it is in Tudor’s best interests to stick with Vlahovic.
Tudor remains an avid fan of Vlahovic
He was full of praise for his striker after they beat Juventus Next Gen in the traditional festive friendly, especially after large portions of the fans inside the Allianz Stadium made uncharitable jeers towards Vlahovic.
It will take some persuading from Tudor to convince the Juventus hierarchy to keep Vlahovic. Yet his rich streak of form, as displayed in the recent friendlies, and a formidable scoring record favors holding onto a player who is always industrious.
Vlahovic needed better service last term, and with the midfield recently firing on all cylinders then playing him alongside David could produce a pair of lethal marksmen.
AC Milan, AS Roma, Inter Milan and Napoli have been bolstering their squads, while Juve have lagged behind during this transfer window.
Serie A crown seems improbable for Juventus
Losing their top scorer could prove devastating, and potentially jeopardize their season. Realistically they are not Scudetto contender material with the current squad, and even if there’s a sudden surge of newcomers it will take time to gel.
Juve’s best bet is to find a partnership for David and Vlahovic to grab goals, whether it means implementing a false no9 or playing one as a no10.
The club boardroom may be given no choice but to keep Vlahovic if there are no concrete offers. There’s always the winter transfer window if the club still want to cash in on Vlahovic.
Yet his current value to Juventus in Serie A and the Champions League appears to be much higher than his transfer fee and hefty salary.