Dusan Vlahovic: Man United gifted chance to sign Juventus striker | OneFootball

Manchester United have been handed a golden chance to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to the latest reports.

Time in Turin is Over

Despite the Old Lady being keen to keep Vlahovic , the 26-year-old will test the free agency market this summer after failing to agree a new contract. Negotiations between the player and club have been ongoing for months, but Gianluca Di Marzio confirmed the latest – and final – attempt had not led to a breakthrough.

The Sky Sports reporter, considered the gold standard for Serie A updates, states: “Juventus met yesterday with Dusan Vlahovic’s entourage…This was a long-awaited meeting to try to clarify the player’s future, but it failed to reach an agreement between the parties regarding the continuation of the relationship.”

Consequently, the Serbia international will leave the Allianz Stadium at the end of the month, bringing an end to his four-and-a-half years with Juventus. In 168 appearances, he returned 68 goals and 16 assists.

But there is a sense he possesses the skillset to be more prolific than this record indicates, having produced 57 goal contributions in 108 appearances for Fiorentina prior to this £60 million switch to Turin.

Possessing a powerful 6’3″ frame with deceptive pace and a rocket of a left foot, Vlahovic’s appeal as a frontman is obvious. And while a big-money raid would be risky, a free transfer offers a market opportunity for a top club looking for an experienced No. 9 – such as the Red Devils.

Market Opportunity

United are prioritising a revamp in midfield this summer, with up to £150 million of the budget set to be directed towards jumpstarting Michael Carrick’s stalling engine room. But a more reliable forward to ease the burden on Benjamin Sesko is also on the agenda.

Joshua Zirkzee has proven a disastrous signing since arriving from Bologna for £36.5 million in 2024, scoring just nine times in 75 appearances in a red shirt. The Dutchman is likely to return to Italy if a suitable offer arrives.

Should Zirkzee depart, United will accelerate plans to sign a replacement, with Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta two names under consideration. Either striker will prove expensive recruits, while a dream target like Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth will require an astronomical fee.

Vlahovic, by comparison, will not cost a penny, though his wage demands could quickly drive up the overall cost of bringing him to M16. He is understood to be asking for a salary of around £165,000 a week.

TEAMtalk reveals United are one of a long line of English clubs to be contacted by intermediaries working on behalf of the player, which includes Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Everton. However, the Blues are said to be leading the charge, with the report stating: “Chelsea are among the clubs best positioned to take advantage and are very much keen on a deal for the striker who boasts an impressive 136 senior career goals for club and country.”

Further afield, Atletico Madrid are another strong contender for the Belgrade native as Diego Simeone’s side brace themselves for the loss of their attacking talismans, Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez.

Final Thoughts

There is no sense of United’s thoughts on advancing a deal for Vlahovic, despite initial contacts taking place to establish his availability. Since taking the helm in 2024, INEOS have attempted to move the club’s recruitment model away from awarding high-profile names with big-money contracts.

But Vlahovic is yet to enter his prime as a footballer, while well-placed sources indicate he is rebuffing interest from Saudi Arabia because he would “prefer to continue competing at the highest level in Europe.” If a reasonable wage packet can be agreed, the Serbian sniper could be an astute way for United to bolster their frontline while allowing the summer war chest to remain focused on midfield.

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