Manchester United have reportedly rejected the opportunity to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic as they prioritise a move for Benjamin Sesko this summer, but could regret this decision
16:00, 05 Aug 2025
Dusan Vlahovic #9 of Juventus FC arrives at the stadium prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC
Manchester United have turned down the chance to sign Dusan Vlahovic(Image: Getty)
Manchester United have snubbed the chance to sign Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic and are focusing on securing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but might be forced into an awkward backtrack.
A No. 9 is on Ruben Amorim's agenda following the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and Sesko has now become the priority at Old Trafford, edging out other forwards like Ollie Watkins. On Tuesday, the Red Devils tabled a potential £74million opening bid.
Securing the 22-year-old Slovenian's services won't be a walk in the park, though, with Premier League rivals Newcastle also vying for him and having offered more to Leipzig. Despite Sesko previously expressing a preference for the Manchester club, new reports suggest he is now open to either path, and Amorim's squad could shamelessly circle back to Vlahovic if he decides on Tyneside.
Juventus are eager to offload Vlahovic, who only has one year remaining on his current contract in Turin, and the player himself is keen to move on.
As per Tuttosport, the 25-year-old's request to terminate his current contract with a £9m severance package was turned down, and the club are instead demanding £21million from any interested parties.
It's reported that both AC Milan and United have been offered the striker. However, the Premier League side gave a cold shoulder to signing Vlahovic as they strive to bag 22-year-old Sesko.
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Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus during a training session
Vlahovic has one year remaining on his current Juventus deal(Image: Getty)
Still, Newcastle upped the ante this week with an enhanced offer worth over £70m in a bid to outmuscle United for Sesko, leaving the Slovenian to cherry-pick his preferred club after the Red Devils' lesser opening bid was submitted.
United are also thought to be casting a wider net for other striking alternatives in case they miss the boat on Sesko to Newcastle, reports The Athletic.
They're being linked with attacking talents like Watkins, Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and Vlahovic remains a plausible target, in a surprising about-turn should they lose the Sesko chase.
With the window ticking away, it's near-certain that Amorim will bolster what was a below-par forward line last term. £72m signing Rasmus Hojlund has failed to deliver and is reportedly available for a reduced £30m.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes, himself touted for a possible exit earlier in the year, urged for changes and fresh faces during United's pre-season US tour.
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"I don't want to have a dig at anyone, but I think the club is doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about," said Fernandes, reflecting on United's 2-2 draw with Everton on Sunday.
"I don't know about it, I'm not involved in that. But obviously, it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here.
"We needed more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more and to have more to do to get into the starting line-up. I think that's what the club and the manager are trying to do and hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that."