As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are due to meet Dušan Vlahović in the coming days to discuss his future.
It was a bitter end to the Serie A campaign for the Old Lady. A last-day draw in the Derby della Mole saw Juve finish outside the Champions League places in sixth.
Vlahović had fired the Bianconeri into a two-goal lead with a goal in either half, before Torino pulled two goals back to drag Juve down to the Europa League spots.
His brace on the final day took Vlahović’s goal tally for the season into double digits, though this has been yet another campaign where the Serbia international has struggled for form and with injuries, with Transfermarkt reporting he has missed as many as 25 games this season through injury.
That sums up Vlahović’s time overall in Turin. His contract is up in the summer as well, though the club have an option to extend it.
Juve want Vlahović to take significant wage cut on his current €12m salary, but he does not want to sign a contract worth under €8 million, with Juve not inclined to offer him more than what they’re paying Kenan Yıldız.
This opens the door for a potential exit from Allianz Stadium, and there is no shortage of suitors despite his numbers. Real Madrid are the latest club reportedly interested in him, while Milan, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Bayern Munich have also shown interest.
The illusion of options
Now that they have missed out on Champions League, Juve will be even more keen to get Vlahović’s wages off their books, though will also not want their €85.4m man to walk away for nothing.
On the other hand, Vlahović will be aware of the fact that his mediocre return in front of goal (68 goals and 16 assists in 168 appearances), when put alongside his injuries, which have plagued him for the majority of his time at Juve, will make it very unlikely for any team to offer him even an €8m wage.
Interest in Vlahović in understandable and goes back to his prolific days with Fiorentina, though current reality also cannot be ignored. If a big club do come in for him him, they may not only offer him reduced wages, but also a short-term deal, promising at best a secondary role in the squad.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
