Barcelona make initial contact with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic | OneFootball

Barcelona have initiated contact to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic on a potential free transfer next summer (h/t Marca).

The Catalan giants have identified a top-quality No.9 as a priority, with Robert Lewandowski’s contract expiring at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old has endured a fluctuating season so far, marked by his inconsistency and fitness struggles, casting doubts over his continuity at Camp Nou.

Ferran Torres has also pushed the former Bayern Munich star down the pecking order with his impressive scoring form. The Spaniard has racked up 13 goals and an assist in all competitions this season.

Lewandowski has netted eight goals and two assists in just 13 games, an impressive return for a player in the twilight of his career. However, he hasn’t scored in the last five games, while he is yet to break his drought in the Champions League.

The Polish international’s hefty wages are another reason Barca could try to offload him and generate space for a new signing.

He is willing to take a significant pay cut to extend his contract for one more season, but Barca are taking stock of the situation cautiously before deciding his future.

In the meantime, Vlahovic has emerged as a top target for the Blaugrana to bolster their forward line.

The Serbian’s deal at the Allianz Stadium expires in the summer, and he is likely to leave as a free agent.

With the arrivals of  Jonathan David and Lois Openda last summer, Vlahovic is not in Juve’s long-term plans. His astronomical salary – Serie A’s highest – is another key reason the Bianconeri are keen on offloading him.

Given Barca’s financial woes, Vlahovic could be a great option, but his lack of form raises doubts over his signing.

The 25-year-old started off the season well with sparkling cameos, but his form has quickly nosedived. He has only scored six goals this season.

Vlahovic has all the attributes to thrive in Hansi Flick’s system at Barca, but the biggest drawback is his lack of consistency.