Liverpool are likely to sign a new centre-forward this summer as they aim to replace Darwin Nunez.
The Reds appear to have lost patience with Nunez and are engaged in active talks with Napoli to find an exit route for the Uruguayan.
As those talks continue to bubble, Liverpool are taking their time to find the right player in the transfer market.
Alexander Isak remains the dream target for Liverpool, but Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of the Swede. With a fee well north of £100m mooted if they are forced to sell him, it looks a difficult deal to do.
Hugo Ekitike has been heavily linked as an Isak alternative. However, Ekitike would cost a bomb as well, and there are question marks over his readiness to lead the line at a club the size of Liverpool.
As a result, Arne Slot could be forced to look elsewhere. And with Viktor Gyokeres heading to Arsenal and RB Leipzig pricing Benjamin Sesko out of a move, Reds fans should be very interested in the ongoing situation of Dusan Vlahovic at Juventus.
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic warms up ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup match against Real Madrid in Miami, Florida.
Photo by MOHAMED TAGELDIN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
Dusan Vlahovic could leave Juventus for nothing
If Liverpool cannot come to an agreement with Napoli over Nunez, then perhaps they do not need another striker this summer.
However, the expectation remains that Nunez will leave. If that is the case, the Reds have no choice but to act.
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Fans may believe Isak is destined for Anfield, but the truth is that he is much more likely to stay at Newcastle this summer. As for Ekitike, he would be a gamble.
The plan may be to wait for Isak for another year if he does not sign a new deal at Newcastle, in which case a stop-gap might be the answer. And with journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that Vlahovic could leave Juventus on a free transfer, the Serb should not be ruled out.
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Di Marzio claims that Juventus are proposing to terminate Vlahovic’s contract, leaving him as a free agent this summer.
There would still be big costs attached in terms of wages and respective fees, of course, but in an otherwise difficult striker market, the lack of a transfer cost could appeal to Liverpool.
Vlahovic still has plenty to offer Liverpool
It is difficult to understand what has gone wrong for Vlahovic at Juventus. He has been a good signing on paper after arriving from Fiorentina in 2022.
Season Club Appearances Goals Assists
2020/21 Fiorentina 40 21 3
2021/22 Fiorentina 24 20 2
2021/22 Juventus 21 9 1
2022/23 Juventus 42 14 4
2023/24 Juventus 38 18 4
2024/25 Juventus 44 17 5
Dusan Vlahovic since 2020
He has scored 58 goals in 145 games, including 17 last season, and is still just 25 years old.
The issue seems to stem from Vlahovic’s contract demands, but with one year still to run on his deal, it makes little sense for Juventus to rip up the agreement rather than sell for a fee this summer.
Either way, Liverpool should be taking note. As former Juve striker Roberto Boninsegna said in October 2024: “He’s strong, massive, he fills the gap up front, he’s a reference point, he’s a courageous left-footer. A good centre-forward.”
Vlahovic may not be the dream signing Liverpool fans are waiting for this summer, but supporters should be keeping a close watch on this saga regardless.