Dusan Vlahovic has fuelled speculation that he could be on the move this summer after ‘liking’ Jude Bellingham’s Instagram post celebrating Real Madrid’s Club World Cup win over Juventus.
The 25-year-old striker joined Juve for a fee of £60million from Fiorentina with weighty expectations on his shoulders – and a reputation as one of the finest young talents in European football – three years ago.
But while Vlahovic has scored 58 goals in 145 appearances in that time, the forward has struggled to live up to his hefty price tag – and Juve’s Coppa Italia triumph remains his own major title with the Italian giants.
Rumours have been swirling that Vlahovic could be set for a big-money transfer and there would be no shortage of potential suitors should Juve put the Serbian up for sale, with Fenerbahce and Al-Ahli credited with an interest.
Manchester United have also been heavily linked following a poor campaign for both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee – and recent reports emanating out of Italy claimed Juve were prepared to offer up Vlahovic in exchange for Jadon Sancho.
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It’s believed the two-time European champions would also willing to part with one of Douglas Luiz or Timothy Weah to lure Sancho from Old Trafford to Turin.
There was another twist in the tale on Tuesday night as Vlahovic was left as an unused substitute for Juve’s Club World Cup loss to Madrid in Miami, where Gonzalo Garcia scored the only goal of the game.
It meant Vlahovic made just one start across Juve’s entire campaign and it appears the Serbia international was less than impressed to be snubbed again by Igor Tudor… if his social media antics are anything to go by.
Shortly after the final whistle, Madrid midfielder Bellingham took to Instagram to write, ‘Next step, quarter finals. Great graft from the boys!’ – and eagle-eyed fans soon realised that Vlahovic had ‘liked’ the post, perhaps shedding some light on his inner turmoil and frustration.
Unsurprisingly, many Juventus supporters have not taken kindly to seeing one of their own seemingly revelling in the club’s elimination in the Unites States.
The last-16 defeat marks the end of an especially disappointing season for Vlahovic, in which the ex-Fiorentina man managed a total of just ten league goals for Juventus.
Vlahovic’ current contract in Turin is due to expire in 2026, meaning Juve must decide whether to sell the striker now or risk losing him on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
Earlier this month, Juve general manager Damien Comolli revealed that he was speaking with Vlahovic to determine what the attacker ‘has in mind’ amid uncertainty over his future.
‘I spoke with Dusan last week. The player should return soon and I want to speak to him to find out what he has in mind,’ Comolli said.
‘He is a top player. Something did not work [last season], I realise it is not enough.
‘I do not know who is to blame. I have to speak to the player and understand because there is no doubt that he is a top player.
‘We need to understand what his intentions are.’
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