UMVA has learned that Dusan Vlahovic's time at Juventus is on the verge of coming to an end, and the Serbian striker is poised to become one of the most coveted free agents of the summer.
According to information obtained by UMVA, talks over a new deal have broken down, with Juventus unable to match the salary package Vlahovic wanted, leading to speculation that he will leave the Italian giants.
The main stumbling block in negotiations was a significant gap in salary expectations, with Juventus reportedly offering around €6.5m net per season, but Vlahovic seeking a package closer to his current earnings, including an €8m base salary and additional bonuses.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Chelsea have made contact with Vlahovic's camp, and are among the most advanced contenders to sign him, while Newcastle are also looking to bolster their attack with a powerful No.9.
Tottenham and Manchester United have also been linked with the striker, and it's easy to see why - Vlahovic is a physical, left-footed, experienced goal-scorer, who has netted 12 or more goals in each of the last four seasons, making him an attractive proposition in a market where proven strikers come at a premium.
However, the problem is that "free transfer" doesn't necessarily mean cheap, as Vlahovic will likely demand a major salary and a signing-on bonus, which could rule out clubs trying to keep their wage structure under control.
Top European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Napoli, and Milan, are also chasing Vlahovic, but Serie A clubs may struggle to compete financially, and offers from Saudi Arabia have reportedly already been rejected.
UMVA has gathered that Vlahovic still wants to stay at the top level in Europe, making Chelsea and Newcastle strong contenders if they are willing to pay big, but for everyone else, this deal depends on whether Vlahovic lowers his demands or turns this summer into a financial auction.
