Napoli have entered the race for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with sporting director Giovanni Manna initiating direct contact with the player’s father and agent, Milos. The development adds a fresh layer of urgency to Juve’s already complicated contract negotiations, which have stalled completely despite months of talks.
Vlahovic, who accepted a significant pay cut to facilitate a renewal, is now waiting for the club to improve its offer, particularly around signing bonuses and agent commissions. The Serbian international believes he has made considerable concessions—halving his salary and pushing to return early from injury—but Juventus management insists they have reached their financial limit.
The 26-year-old has rediscovered his scoring touch since his comeback, netting four times in his last four appearances across matches against Verona, Lecce, and Torino, with a disallowed goal against Fiorentina only adding to his frustration. His strong performances have not only underlined his value but also reignited interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Beyond Napoli, Bayern Munich have renewed their search for a reliable deputy to Harry Kane, while Atletico Madrid are planning for life without Alexander Sorloth, should the Norwegian depart. Newcastle United, backed by their considerable financial muscle, are also monitoring the situation and could present an offer that would be hard for both player and club to ignore.
Napoli’s need is acute. With Romelu Lukaku expected to leave and Antonio Conte set to be replaced by Vincenzo Italiano, the Partenopei require a top-tier center-forward. While Rasmus Hojlund’s permanent arrival from Manchester United and Lorenzo Lucca’s return from an unsuccessful loan at Nottingham Forest provide depth, they are not seen as sufficient for a team competing on three fronts. Manna, who worked with Vlahovic during his Juventus tenure, is confident Napoli can match Juve’s proposal and offer a starring role in a refreshed attack.
For Vlahovic personally, the decision is not straightforward. He enjoys a strong rapport with Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti and would prefer to stay in Turin, but underlying tensions with the club’s hierarchy—dating back to last summer—persist despite a brief thaw in February and March. The player is prepared to wait as long as possible for a breakthrough, but his patience is finite.
Juventus face a strategic dilemma. Losing Vlahovic would leave them without a proven first-choice striker and compel them to enter a volatile market for two starting-calibre number nines. The club had already planned to generate funds by selling Jonathan David permanently and offloading Lois Openda, likely on an initial loan with an option to buy. Replacing Vlahovic’s output and profile would stretch those resources to breaking point.
Perhaps more alarmingly for the Bianconeri, allowing their talisman to join a direct Serie A rival like Napoli would significantly boost a competitor’s Scudetto ambitions. The risk of inadvertently arming a title challenger while simultaneously weakening their own squad is a scenario the Juventus board can ill afford as they plot a summer rebuild designed to re-establish their domestic dominance after a disappointing season.
The clock is ticking. Every day without progress on Vlahovic’s contract pushes him closer to the exit door, with Napoli’s interest serving as a timely reminder that alternatives exist. Juventus must now decide whether to meet the player’s demands and secure their attacking future or brace for a costly and potentially destabilizing transfer saga.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
