Arsenal and Chelsea have been monitoring Vlahovic for some time, with Manchester United also recently linked after Marcus Rashford was loaned to Aston Villa.
There had been enquiries from all three English Premier League (EPL) clubs about potential target Vlahovic, but there were no bids tabled during the winter transfer window.
A clutch of other top class forwards were linked with a move to these teams, but the EPL failed to net a striker when the transfer window slammed shut. Arsenal had seemed like the most likely destination for Vlahovic, after the Gunners’ failed attempt to lure Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.
Head coach Thiago Motta was willing to let Vlahovic leave, and Juventus would have cashed in before his contract expires in June 2026.
The fact that there was no offer for Vlahovic now means that Motta should surely tweak his tactics to accommodate the Belgrade-born 25-year-old, who reportedly earns €12 million (US$12.5m) a season. He is after all their top scorer this term.
Kolo Muani’s loan from Paris Saint-Germain has so far been the club’s best January transfer deal. He has bagged three goals in his two Serie A matches, and Juve will no doubt be hoping to sign the French international on a permanent deal during the summer if he can continue in this rich vein.
Motta’s latest dilemma is how to get the best out of Vlahovic. His tried and tested 4-2-3-1 system served him well at Bologna, but his tactical set-up with the Turin giants has not yet reaped the rewards that the club and supporters anticipated.
Team performances, after a promising start to the season, have been criticised by fans and pundits. This has resulted in former Barcelona boss Xavi being approached, and if Motta continues to produce dull draws then a change in the dugout could be implemented.
The team and manager were booed off the pitch by Juve fans during their tame Champions League display at home to Benfica. Vlahovic hurried down the players tunnel at the final whistle, failing to acknowledge the supporters. It seemed at this stage that it could have been his last match for the Bianconeri.
Social media platforms were swirling with venom after the contest, with furious fans posting #MottaOut for the first time since his summer appointment. Vlahovic was also bearing the brunt of their anger because of his ineffectiveness.
Vlahovic was obviously not prepared to suffer the indignity of insults from Juve supporters. He had already experienced a run-in with fans at the Allianz Stadium in mid-December.
During the 2-2 Serie A stalemate with strugglers Venezia, a confrontation between Vlahovic and a home supporter escalated after his initial reaction. The Curva Sud section soon erupted in response, chanting insulting words at the Serbian international.
When Vlahovic left the pitch, he foolishly held up a sarcastic thumb to these disgruntled fans and ever since he has fallen out of favour with Motta and the Juventus supporters.
Vlahovic’s confidence returned last weekend. He appeared off the bench to score a spectacular 90th-minute goal. The last Serie A clash was all at sea during the first half for the hosts, but they pulled Empoli apart after the turnaround, especially when Empoli were reduced to 10 men.
Muani bagged a brace in the 4-1 triumph, adding to his goal on his debut in the 2-1 loss at Napoli.
Motta exploited the numerical advantage against Empoli and sent on Vlahovic as an out-and-out forward, with Muani shifted to the left wing.
The pair interacted well, but Vlahovic went for glory and rifled in his 13th goal this season from 18 yards. However, five of his strikes this term have been converted from the penalty spot.
Motta must try to find a way for Vlahovic and Muani to play together, although it appears that they wouldn’t both earn a starting berth, to save his season and stop the rot.
Either player could turn up the heat against opponents by appearing as a substitute, although Vlahovic’s role is limited as he can only effectively play down the middle. Muani is more versatile so he can be utilised on the left flank, or sit behind Vlahovic.
Should this pairing provide fireworks in front of goal, it will lift the pressure off Motta but increase the monetary value of both Muani and Vlahovic.
Paris Saint-Germain may be reluctant to sell Muani, who they originally brought in to eventually fill the boots of French superstar Kylain Mhappe, or demand substantially more than his current value of €45m (US$46.8m).
Yet a revamped Juve would also result in Vlahovic’s value soaring by the summer. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United could then be kicking themselves for not signing Vlahovic during the winter transfer window because they were deterred by his price tag of €70m (US$72.8m).
A rethink by Motta about Vlahovic could result in a promising partnership with Muani that could eventually prove to be as strong as Inter Milan’s impressive front pairing of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.
The ball’s now in Motta’s court to revise his tactics in an attempt to win over the critics, fans and of course the Juve board members. Vlahovic’s appearances during the rest of this campaign will play a pivotal role as to whether Motta is deemed to be a hit or miss at Juventus.
If either Motta or Muani exit in the summer, then Vlahovic could be left as the star striker with clubs no doubt clamouring to secure his signature. He could turn into Juventus’ prize possession.