Dusan Vlahovic is being linked with a move to Manchester United and the Serbian has already made it clear he is more than ready to handle the pressure of playing for the Red Devils
Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Juventus and Manchester City at Juventus Stadium on December 11, 2024 in Turin, Italy.
Dusan Vlahovic's comments will be well-received by Ruben Amorim(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic’s comments about him “liking pressure" and being "totally dedicated" to football speak volumes of the player Manchester United and Ruben Amorim could be bringing in this summer.
The Juventus striker has been linked with the Red Devils this week as part of a swap deal which would see him join United and Jadon Sancho head to Turin.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Vlahovic is surplus to requirements at Juventus, who are keen to offload him whilst bringing in United wantaway Sancho. With Vlahovic now in the final 12 months of his contract, swapping Sancho for the 25-year-old could prove to be a financially astute move for Amorim, who is currently in the market for a new striker.
In recent years, United have become infamous for splurging large sums of money on players who have failed to perform under the intense scrutiny at Old Trafford, becoming mere shadows of their former selves.
However, Vlahovic represents a low-risk transfer opportunity both economically and due to the fact that he prides himself on his mental strength. After being asked by The Telegraph whether he feels any pressure in 2022, the Serbia international was almost insulted by the suggestion.
He said: “I like pressure. I like high expectations because I like the kind of adrenalin that comes out. I have never really suffered too much from pressure. Maybe when I was younger but not now and in 10 years time I will probably feel even better about it. I don’t really care too much when people talk about pressure.”
There is certainly a lot of pressure to do well at United, with the team expected to win trophies and qualify for Europe next season even though they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League this term. But Vlahovic appears to have the appetite to succeed - something Amorim will no doubt value highly.
He continued: “I never want to rest. I am dedicated 24/7 and when I go home, what do I do? I watch football matches! I watch to have fun, to enjoy, but also to learn and improve. You notice things and figure them out and think, ‘I could have done this or that.’
“I like spending time with my family, who have always been my force, and friends. I don’t like video games. I am not very good at them. I prefer going for a walk!
“In the past I had the time to read books, but not now. Basically I am completely dedicated to football and, for me, it’s only the beginning, by the way. The best is yet to come.”
Jadon Sancho of Manchester United reacts after missing penalty during the 2024 FA Community Shield shoot out between Manchester United and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2024 in London, England
Juventus want to sign Sancho from United(Image: Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
It's not clear if Vlahovic would be interested in moving to United, however. He's already turned down offers from other teams, including proposals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
And he's no stranger to rejecting Premier League clubs either. Arsenal wanted to sign the forward before he went to Juventus for £60million in 2021, while Chelsea have also been interested in the past.
Juventus are reportedly keen on signing Sancho, who is no longer part of plans at Old Trafford, even if Vlahovic is not part of the deal. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, they are prepared to offer other players to United in an attempt to secure a deal for the winger, such as midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Sancho is expected to depart United permanently after Chelsea paid £5m to waive their obligation to buy clause at the end of his unsuccessful season-long loan spell at Stamford Bridge. Napoli have also been linked with an interest in Sancho's services but Juventus are pushing to beat the Italian champions to a deal.