AC Milan are once again hopeful of convincing Dusan Vlahovic, but Christopher Nkunku is reportedly the key to everything.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Juventus are taking their time with Vlahovic, while Milan are trying again. The Bianconeri CEO Damien Comolli confirmed it in recent days, stating: “Don’t expect any news on his contract renewal before the end of the season.”
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His renewal is strongly desired by coach Luciano Spalletti, but a signature isn’t as imminent as it seemed before Easter. The striker’s recent injury – after three and a half months out following adductor surgery in December – has slowed his return and also the discussions over a new deal.
In 75 days, Juve’s number 9 will effectively be a free agent. At Continassa, they’ve accepted Dusan’s openness in recent weeks to stay and explore the matter with his father Milos, but they are aware of the risks. Starting with Milan’s fresh attempts.
Comolli, his right-hand man Giorgio Chiellini, and sporting director Marco Ottolini have assured Spalletti they will do their utmost to secure Vlahovic’s contract renewal. But everything comes at a price.
Bridge deal vs. Milan temptation
Juventus, after investing €80m (including bonuses) to acquire the forward from Fiorentina in January 2022, would like to extend his contract without having to somehow ‘buy back’ the striker, i.e. spending a fortune on generous signing-on bonuses and commissions like any other free agent.
The 26-year-old’s agent and entourage are considering a ‘short’ renewal: one or two years with a salary reduced by at least half compared to the current €12m net salary. This is less than Kenan Yildiz (€7m since the summer) and even less than Vlahovic earned in his first years at Juventus: €7.5m.
The Bianconeri are confident in Vlahovic’s desire to relaunch himself after a disastrous season in an environment he knows well and with a coach who respects him like Spalletti. Dusan is aware of the advantages, but in the meantime, his entourage continues to look elsewhere.
Even if he moved a little further east, towards Milan, Dusan would find a coach who appreciates him and is willing to relaunch him at a high level. With Massimiliano Allegri at the helm, Vlahovic enjoyed his most prolific Juventus season, scoring 16 goals in 33 games in 2023-24.
In Milan too, if not even more so, he would find free space to re-establish himself in the penalty area after months hampered by physical problems. Allegri would be waiting for him with open arms, confident in entrusting him with full responsibility of leading the attack.
la gazzetta dello sport 16 april vlahovic
The perfect fit?
Dusan is the centre-forward Milan have been searching for for years. Since the post-Ibrahimovic transition, and with the sole exception of Olivier Giroud, the Rossoneri have been lacking a top-tier scorer.
The limitations of the attack have made the need for transfer market intervention increasingly urgent. It is a move that Milan, intent on re-entering the Champions League, can no longer afford to get wrong as they have done.
Vlahovic’s arrival could be financed by the sale of one of the strikers recently acquired without success. At the end of the last summer transfer window, having failed to secure a series of targets, Milan rushed Nkunku from Chelsea, for a total of €37m plus €5m in bonuses.
Given the tight deadline, the club were forced to fully accommodate the player, including his salary: €5m net per year plus bonuses, over five seasons. After just six goals in 29 games, Milan are looking to sell him. From that, the wages could be freed for Vlahovic.