Juventus Begin Earmarking Strikers to Succeed Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic is unlikely to leave Juventus in the final days of the January window, but his summer departure seems already certain. The parties are distant from agreeing to an extension. The Bianconeri won’t keep him with just one year on his deal facing the threat of losing for nothing. They might get muscular in pushing him out, as they have done with a few players already, La Gazzetta dello Sport relays.

There’ll be further conversations with his agent in February. It’d be a surprise if they led to a U-turn, also considering what’s happening on the pitch. The Old Lady is ready to move on and has started mulling possible replacements.

Juventus exec Cristiano Giuntoli brought Victor Osimhen to Serie A a few years back, and he’d be ideal to succeed Vlahovic. On the other hand, his wages are equally rich and his €75/80M release clause isn’t valid for fellow Italian clubs. They’d have to haggle with Napoli, and it’d be mighty hard to strike a deal.

Thiago Motta would favor Joshua Zirkzee, whose future at Manchester United is uncertain. Still, he’ll be given the chance to prove his worth under Ruben Amorim. His salary is more manageable.

The Bianconeri are expected to reignite their pursuit of Jonathan David, who hasn’t made up his mind yet. He demands €5M per year, plus commissions, but it’d be a free transfer. There’s major competition for him, though. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are hot on his trail.

Juventus might simply keep Randal Kolo Muani permanently to fill in for Vlahovic if he produced. They’d have to negotiate with PSG again, and he’d cost at least €50M.