3 days ago
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AC Milan are still looking for a striker to sign on the right terms, and one name that will not go away is Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the priorities remain identifying two starting full-backs and completing the Ardon Jashari deal, but Milan have not abandoned their chase to sign a new striker too.
Vlahovic, should certain financial conditions arise, remains high on the Rossoneri’s list of preferences. The Serbian’s contract expires on June 30th, and the chances of him leaving Turin this summer – rather than spending another few months estranged – could skyrocket at any moment.
The former Fiorentina player isn’t the only option, as the Rossoneri have also inquired about Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen and Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. The former costs €40m plus around €10m in bonuses, while the Blues’ striker is valued even higher.
This is why it’s important to keep in mind the evolution of the Vlahovic situation, currently on holiday after the Club World Cup. A month ago, Dusan turned down Fenerbahçe and a renewal seems impossible, so he is looking for another solution.
Milan’s striker strategy
In nine days, when Juventus meet for the start of preseason at Continassa, the situation will become even clearer. Having Jonathan David, (perhaps) Randal Kolo Muani (or another striker) and Vlahovic coexist in the same dressing room will be complicated.
Comolli and his collaborators, who are searching for a solution, are well aware of this. The goal is to cash in on Dusan’s departure, but the Serbian’s €12m net salary isn’t encouraging. And then there’s Vlahovic, who wants a big club to start over.
Things haven’t gone as well as he expected at Juventus in terms of trophies (only one, the 2023-24 Coppa Italia) and goals (58 in 145 appearances). Milan are undoubtedly an opportunity that appeals to him, even if the Rossoneri won’t be playing in European competition.
His bond with Allegri is strong, and the two were in touch even after Max’s departure from the Juventus dugout. The manager has occasionally benched him or replaced him, but Dusan respects Max and would be happy to work with him again.
This is where financial issues come into play, as his salary is too high. Two conditions are necessary: 1) Vlahovic must either terminate his deal at Juventus or leave for a bargain price (in both cases with a severance package); 2) he must accept a 50% pay cut, to which bonuses would be added.
It’s premature to initiate a deal now, but in about 20 days, the conditions could be different and there could be more room for manoeuvre. This is why contacts with Boniface are being kept alive, but Dusan remains the name at the top of the list.
Allegri considers him perfect in a three-man attack with Pulisic and Leao. The latter has been linked to PSG by L’Equipe, but the management consider him central to the project. And if he had Vlahovic at his side…
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