Manchester United may be able to finally offload Jadon Sancho in a swap deal that would see a top European striker with a strong personality head to Old Trafford
Jadon Sancho of Manchester United instructs team mates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on August 26, 2023
Jadon Sancho is likely to depart Manchester United this summer once again
(Image: Visionhaus via Getty Images)
A potential swap deal that would see Manchester United part ways with Jadon Sancho and welcome Dusan Vlahovic could be on the cards.
The Englishman is expected to be sold this summer after spending the entirety of last season on loan to Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Conference League. Sancho's last game so far for the Red Devils came in the Community Shield last year, with his likely sale putting an end to what has been a hugely disappointing period for both parties.
Among the possibilities of his possible departure is the 25-year-old leaving English football to join Juventus in exchange for the Serbian striker. Vlahovic, who was a prior target for Arsenal, has largely played a bench role at the Italian giants since the loan arrival of Randal Kolo-Muani in January.
Reports in Italy have said that the club are proposing to offer the striker - who has a year left on his contract - in order to capture Sancho, who has 'not let go' of the winger since first registering interest in signing him last year, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
While Vlahovic has maintained a respectable goal-scoring record of 57 goals in 144 games, the 25-year-old has failed to replicate the devastating form in front of goal that he showed during his time at Fiorentina.
Dusan Vlahovic celebrating a goal for Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic is reportedly on the transfer list for Juventus
He did score 16 goals across all competitions this season, which is just one less than Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managed combined. On top of his superiority as a scorer ahead of their forward options, the Premier League giants will certainly be buoyed by reports from Corriere dello Sport that Vlahovic turned down a mammoth offer worth £17million a year from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr earlier this year.
Not yet in his prime, the decision to remain in a top European league will come as a positive sign to United chiefs about the desire the Serb has to accomplish honours at the highest level rather than taking a cash grab.
A player devoted to his club and team-mates is certainly a sought-after attribute and it's one Vlahovic displayed last season during a trying time for Juventus.
Juventus players acknowledge the fans at the end of the Serie A match between Juventus and Venezia at Allianz Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Turin, Italy
The striker wasn't afraid to stand up to Juventus' ultras after an argument broke out following the club's draw to Venezia last December
After a fourth consecutive Serie A draw where his side could only muster up a 2-2 draw against Venezia, the Juve players, as per tradition, walked over to the fans under the Curva to thank them for their support.
However, the feeling wasn't mutual. The supporters hurled insults and disrespectful chants at the players, which Vlahovic didn't take too kindly to as he shouted back at the fans. According to Sky Sport Italia, despite the players walking away, the fans continued with the insults, which prompted the striker to turn to them and gesture a sarcastic thumbs-up at them.
While it's never healthy for a player to argue with their own fans, it shows United that Vlahovic isn't afraid to speak his mind and will stand up for his teammates when he feels it is necessary.
Adding such a strong personality to the dressing room could have both positive and negative effects, and Ruben Amorim will no doubt be taking a lot of different factors into consideration as he continues his search for more reinforcements this summer, including a new striker.
Amorim has so far overseen the arrival of one new signing this summer in Matheus Cunha, who they bought for £62.5m from Wolves. While interest remains in Bryan Mbeumo and Viktor Gyokeres, United are said to face competition for the attackers from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, respectively.
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