Transfer News: Insider reveals Barcelona will sign former Serie A top scorer

An individual close to Dusan Vlahovic’s camp said that the Serbia international is set to join Barcelona when his Juventus contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Barcelona’s current first-choice centre-forward, Robert Lewandowski, turns 38 in August, and while he remains relatively productive, he is no longer nearly as efficient. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Blaugrana are prepared to move on and are exploring the market for potential replacements.

Financial constraints have repeatedly narrowed Barcelona’s options, forcing them to explore free agents and bargain options. In recent windows, they have been linked with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Julian Alvarez and Benjamin Šeško but have been priced out of such deals.

Hence, Vlahović’s contractual situation at Juventus makes him an attractive market opportunity. As it provides an opportunity to sign a competent striker for free.

The 26-year-old joined Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2022 for a reported €70 million plus up to €10 million in bonuses, signing a contract that expires in June 2026. His output in Turin has been solid but below elite expectations: he has scored at least 10 league goals in all his seasons with the Old Lady bar the current campaign but has struggled with injuries.

Juventus’ reluctance to meet his wage expectations, widely reported to exceed €10 million net per season, has led him to run down his contract rather than renew. Dusan Ilic, Vlahovic’s physical trainer and close acquaintance, has said that his next destination is Catalunya.

“He is going to Barça,” he said, per Diario Sport. “That’s what I believe. Before leaving for Juventus, he was already able to play in Spain because he had an offer from Atletico, but he chose to stay in Italy. Now it’s different.”