Barcelona cooling interest in €35m Serie A forward amid form and injury concerns – Report | OneFootball

The planning of FC Barcelona for next season is gradually shifting from theory to concrete decisions, particularly in attack. With the club preparing for life after Robert Lewandowski and reassessing the profile of its future number 9, the sporting department is narrowing its list of candidates.

What once looked like an open race is beginning to take shape, and one previously considered option is now losing ground.

The internal conversation has changed largely because of Ferran Torres. The Valencia-born forward is no longer viewed as a secondary piece or short-term solution. His goals per minute ratio places him alongside some of the most productive strikers in Europe, and his growing authority has reframed Barcelona’s needs.

Rather than searching for a dominant star to overshadow him, the club is now prioritising a complementary striker who fits both the tactical idea and the economic framework.

That shift has inevitably brought Lewandowski’s future into sharper focus. While his experience and professionalism remain valued, his performances have declined, and the probability of continuity is weakening with each passing month. Barcelona are therefore sounding out the market, looking for alternatives who can help guide the next attacking cycle without destabilising the squad.

According to SPORT, Dušan Vlahović was one of the names studied in that context. The 25-year-old Juventus striker, under contract until June 2026, was offered to Barcelona from Italy and followed closely within the club.

Bojan Krkić, who shares Serbian roots with the player, monitored his progress in detail. On paper, Vlahović appeared to fit the age profile and physical demands of the role, but reality has fallen short of expectations.

His output this season has been a major sticking point. With just 6 goals in 17 official appearances, Vlahović’s numbers are considered modest and insufficient to justify a strong commitment from Barcelona. Those performances have failed to convince a sporting management that is increasingly guided by efficiency rather than reputation.

Financial concerns have also weighed heavily. Vlahović’s reported salary of €12 million net per season was already viewed as a serious obstacle in a club still operating under strict economic limits. Although his contractual situation could have opened the door to a free agent scenario in the summer, the overall cost and sporting return never aligned convincingly enough.

Any remaining doubts were intensified by an unfortunate injury setback. During a Serie A match against Cagliari two weeks ago, the €35 million-rated Serbian forward suffered sharp pain while attempting a shot and was forced to leave the pitch assisted by medical staff.

Subsequent tests revealed a high-grade injury to the musculotendinous junction of the left long adductor. Juventus confirmed the diagnosis in an official statement, with recovery expected to take up to three months. For a player already under scrutiny, the timing could not have been worse.

Aware of the cooling interest from Barcelona, Vlahović is now close to reaching an agreement with Milan, the club that has shown the most consistent intent in recent weeks.

For Barcelona, this represents one fewer name on a list that is becoming increasingly selective. The message from the sporting department is clear. The next striker must fit a precise sporting and financial vision, and at this moment, Vlahović no longer does.