Barcelona (foto: Getty Images)
Serbia fitness coach Dušan Ilić claims Dušan Vlahović will join Barcelona this summer as a free agent, with Juventus striker’s contract set to expire.
The fitness coach of the Serbia may have inadvertently revealed one of the most significant potential moves of the upcoming transfer window.
Dušan Ilić stated that Dušan Vlahović is set to continue his career at FC Barcelona this summer. According to Ilić, the transfer of the Juventus striker to Catalonia is virtually agreed, with the player expected to arrive as a free agent.
“He’s going to Barca. That’s what I think. Before moving to Juventus, he could have played in Spain because he had an offer from Atlético Madrid, but he decided to stay in Italy. Now it’s different,” Ilić said, suggesting that circumstances have changed significantly in recent months.
Contract expiring in Turin
Vlahović’s current contract with Juventus expires at the end of the season, meaning he will be free to negotiate and join another club without a transfer fee. Barcelona have reportedly monitored his situation for some time, as they search for a long-term solution at centre-forward.
Given the club’s ongoing financial constraints, targeting high-profile players available on free transfers has become a recurring strategy in recent windows.
Fee and expectations weighed heavily
The Serbian striker has operated under intense scrutiny in Turin ever since Juventus paid €83 million to sign him. During his spell in Italy, he has struggled to consistently deliver performances that match that level of investment.
A potential arrival of Vlahović at Barcelona is closely linked to the future of Robert Lewandowski, whose four-year contract runs until the end of the current campaign. Barcelona are keen to retain the Polish forward, but no longer necessarily as the central pillar of the attacking line, and under different contractual terms.
That situation raises further questions about Lewandowski’s next move. The veteran striker could consider lucrative options elsewhere, including Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer, should Barcelona redefine his role.
For now, Ilić’s remarks have intensified speculation, although neither Barcelona nor Juventus have confirmed any agreement.