Juventus Striker Dusan Vlahović Linked With AC Milan Move

 

Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has become the focus of a major summer transfer saga. Reports from mid-June indicate AC Milan – managed by Vlahović’s former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri – have made the Serbian international their top attacking target. According to Italian media, Milan officially contacted Juventus this week to gauge their willingness to sell, with Sporting Director Igli Tare leading the talks. At Juve, all signs point to a sale: the 25-year-old’s contract runs only to June 2026 with no renewal agreed, so the club faces pressure to cash in rather than lose him on a free next year.

Contract Stalemate at Juventus

Vlahović joined Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2022 for a hefty fee, but his stay has been unsettled by stalled contract talks and uneven form. Juve’s management and Vlahović have “yet to find any breakthrough” in new-deal negotiations, which have been on ice for months. His current deal expires June 2026, and Juve are “keen to offload him this summer to avoid losing him for free a year later.” Crucially, Vlahović’s salary is exceptionally high – it will rise to about €12 million net next season – making it hard for Juventus to meet his demands. The club itself has admitted his recent goal returns have not justified that wage, so selling now looks more prudent than extending a contract at that cost. (New Juventus GM Damien Comolli has said he will meet with Vlahović about his future, but for now Juve are acting as if a summer exit is likely.)

AC Milan Enters the Picture

Amid this impasse, AC Milan have stepped up their interest. Sources report that Allegri personally favors Vlahović as a partner for his new front line, and he has even spoken by phone with the striker before any official meeting took place. On June 13, Italian outlet Calciomercato confirmed Milan “have begun to officially move for Dusan Vlahović,” formally approaching Juventus to understand the club’s position. Sport media also note that Vlahović tops Milan’s list of striker targets – he is “Allegri’s favourite,” according to a Sportitalia journalist cited in the press. In short, multiple reports now converge: Milan see Vlahović as a prime target, and Juve are listening to offers while internally debating whether to sell.
Even so, obstacles remain. Juventus coach Igor Tudor has publicly stated that Vlahović is an “important piece” in his squad, and he reportedly wants to keep the striker and even extend his deal. Calciomercato analysis suggests Milan must “capitalise on the situation” by offering enough money, since Juve are “not in a financial position to increase the striker’s salary” even if they wanted to keep him. Thus far, Milan’s overtures have been countered by Juve’s stance: the Rossoneri are probing quietly, while Juve insist publicly that any deal must meet their price and the player’s valuation.

Transfer Fee and Financial Challenges

Estimates of the transfer fee vary but fall in the mid-high tens of millions. Veteran transfer reporter Alfredo Pedullà notes that Juventus could be “happy to release Vlahović for €30 million” given his expiring contract. A Tuttosport account, quoted by Milan-focused media, suggests Milan believe as little as €25 million might secure the striker. In either case, the financial numbers are dictated less by market value than by practical constraints: Vlahović’s salary is reported at about €12 million net per year. That wage requirement has reportedly scared off smaller suitors (even English clubs like Everton balked at his demands, noting roughly £10m/year is beyond reach) and remains the “real problem” for Milan.
Milan must craft an offer that satisfies Juventus while addressing the wage issue. Some reports say Milan would not necessarily pay all of that salary, or might structure bonuses, to make the deal work. Juventus’s side will push for the highest fee or cash-plus-asset structure possible, mindful that selling now is better than losing him free in a year. As one source puts it, “the Rossoneri will make an attempt for the Juventus striker, who has a contract to resolve with the Bianconeri and a very high salary.” In practice, this means Milan’s bid will have to overcome both the transfer price tag and the heavy contract.

Juventus Squad Implications and Options

If Vlahović departs, Juventus must reconfigure their attack. The squad still includes Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik, who led Juve’s scoring this past season, and young playmaker Kenan Yıldız. They also have Randal Kolo Muani – the French forward on loan from PSG – who scored 8 goals in 19 games after arriving in January. Capello notes that Juve intend to secure Muani permanently (“keen to find a new agreement with PSG to keep Randal Kolo Muani”), but he cautions that Muani “alone won’t be enough” as a No. 9.
Several names have circulated as possible new signings to supplement Milik and Yıldız. In a June column, Juventus legend Fabio Capello argues the club should pursue Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee as their ideal replacement. Zirkzee (24) had a difficult stint at United but impressed many in Serie A, and he would reportedly cost less than other high-profile targets. Other options mentioned include Argentine-Italian Mateo Retegui (linked with both Juve and Milan) and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres (27), who boasts an extraordinary scoring record in Portugal. Gyökeres has scored 54 goals in 52 games, but his price may exceed €80m – far above Juve’s budget.

Possible Striker Targets:

• Joshua Zirkzee (Man Utd) – Capello’s top pick to replace Vlahović. An Italian youth product, he has Serie A experience and a relatively lower cost.

• Randal Kolo Muani (PSG/Juventus) – On loan in Turin for €3.6m (with PSG). Juve hopes to make the move permanent; Capello notes the club “keen” to keep him.

• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – Swedish striker who scored 54 goals in 52 matches, making him a tempting goal-machine. Juve and others have been linked, but the former Sporting ace will be very expensive.

• Mateo Retegui (Boca/NYCFC) – Argentine-Italian forward on Juve’s radar, though his transfer fee may be high.
  Each option has trade-offs. For now, Juventus will proceed cautiously: Milik remains the only proven Serie A forward under contract, Yıldız is developing, and any new signing will have to fit manager Igor Tudor’s system (likely a two-striker or striker-plus-winger setup). In the short term, fans can expect Juve to rely on Milik and possibly rotate Muani and Yıldız, while the club finalizes its transfer plans.