Barcelona have taken proactive steps to engage with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, targeting a potential free transfer for the summer. According to reports from Marca, the Catalan club sees securing a top-tier No.9 as an essential priority, especially with the contract of Robert Lewandowski nearing expiration at the end of the current season.
Lewandowski, who is now 37 years old, has faced a rollercoaster campaign thus far, characterized by inconsistencies and fitness challenges. These issues have naturally led to growing speculation surrounding his future at Camp Nou. In addition to Lewandowski’s struggles, Ferran Torres has made a strong case for himself by demonstrating impressive scoring prowess. The Spaniard has accumulated 13 goals and provided an assist across all competitions this season, which has further crowded Lewandowski’s position in the squad.
Despite Lewandowski’s commendable tally of eight goals and two assists in just 13 matches—an impressive figure for someone considered to be in the twilight of their career—the Polish forward has not found the back of the net in his last five games. Moreover, he has yet to score in the Champions League this season, raising questions about his capacity to lead Barca’s attack in critical matches.
The financial aspect also plays a pivotal role in Barcelona’s decision-making process. Lewandowski’s substantial salary poses a significant burden, and the club could look to move him on in order to create financial flexibility to bring in new talent. While Lewandowski has expressed a willingness to accept a considerable pay cut in order to extend his stay for an additional season, Barcelona is approaching the situation with caution, weighing their options before making any long-term commitments regarding the veteran striker.
Meanwhile, Dusan Vlahovic has emerged as a prime target for Barcelona in their efforts to strengthen their forward line. His contract at Juventus is set to expire next summer, which positions him to leave the club as a free agent. With Juventus recently adding talents like Jonathan David and Lois Openda to their squad, Vlahovic appears to be sidelined from the club’s long-term plans. Additionally, his substantial salary—reportedly the highest in Serie A—has become a point of concern for the Bianconeri, who are keen on offloading him to ease their salary cap issues.
Despite the attractive prospect of signing Vlahovic on a free transfer, Barcelona’s ongoing financial challenges raise questions about the viability of such a move. Furthermore, Vlahovic’s overall performance this season has been a cause for concern, as he started off strong with some eye-catching displays but has since experienced a significant dip in form, only managing to score six goals so far.
Vlahovic undoubtedly possesses the technical skills and physical attributes necessary to excel in Hansi Flick’s tactical framework at Barcelona. However, the critical issue remains his lack of consistency on the field, which could deter the club from fully committing to his acquisition as they seek to bolster their attacking options for the future. As Barcelona navigates these complex dynamics regarding squad composition and financial constraints, securing a reliable forward will be crucial to their aspirations both domestically and in Europe moving forward.

Leave a comment