AC Milan are pushing forward in the race to sign Dusan Vlahovic, with the Serbian striker’s future at Juventus increasingly uncertain. Tuttosport report (as quoted by ilbianconero) that, as the only major club still seriously pursuing Vlahovic, Milan are exploring creative solutions to bridge the gap between their offer and Juventus’s valuation—most notably, by including a player as part of the transfer package.
Vlahovic’s Situation at Juventus
Vlahovic, whose contract with Juventus runs until 2026, is no longer considered central to the club’s project. With an annual salary of €12 million and only one year left before he could depart for free, Juventus is eager to cash in this summer. However, Milan’s maximum budget for the deal is reportedly capped at €10 million, which falls short of Juventus’s demand of around €20 million. This gap has led to a standoff, with both clubs needing to find a compromise for any deal to go ahead.
Milan’s Proposal: A Swap Deal
To break the deadlock, Milan are preparing to offer a technical counterpart as part of their proposal. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri, familiar with Vlahovic from their previous time together at Juventus, is especially keen on the move. The most likely candidate to be included in the deal is Ismael Bennacer, the Algerian midfielder who recently spent the season on loan at Marseille and is no longer central to Milan’s plans.
Reports suggest that Milan’s offer would consist of around €10 million in cash plus Bennacer, whose qualities could appeal to Juventus as they seek to refresh their midfield. The Rossoneri might consider other squad players—such as Malick Thiaw or Yunus Musah—as alternatives if negotiations over Bennacer stall, but the Algerian remains the prime option given his experience and profile.
Juventus’ Position
While Milan’s strategy strengthens their negotiating hand, Juventus is still aiming to recover as much value as possible from Vlahovic’s transfer. The club is wary of letting him depart for a low fee, knowing that his expensive transfer from Fiorentina has yet to be fully justified on the pitch. Juventus’s preference is for an outright sale for at least €20 million, but mounting pressure to offload Vlahovic before his contract runs down could make a swap deal more appealing.
The Final Hurdle
A successful transfer will require both clubs to agree not just on the valuation of both Vlahovic and the potential counterpart, but also on how much cash is involved and whether Juventus might need to cover part of Vlahovic’s salary to facilitate the move. For Milan, securing the striker at a manageable cost is crucial; for Juventus, recouping funds and clearing the salary load from their books remains a priority.
