Online Reporter
USAN Vlahovic has been entrusted with leading Juventus’ attack ahead of today’s local derby with Torino, as new coach Luciano Spalletti eyes an Italian Serie A football victory.
Serbia striker Vlahovic looked destined for the exit door this summer as Juve tried to get back some of the massive investment made in January 2022 in order to snatch the then 22-year-old from Fiorentina.
Juve spent 70 million euros, plus 10 million euros more in performance-related bonuses, just to sign Vlahovic who was also blessed with an annual net salary of 12 million euros.
Vlahovic’s disappointing showings over two-and-a-half years led to him being put on the transfer list in the close season, only for no major bids to come in.
That had meant that he was set to leave for free at the end of this season with a contract that expires in June, but six goals this campaign and the arrival of Spalletti last week have led to Juve saying he could well stay beyond next summer.
“I’ve been saying since the start of the season that Dusan is only thinking about Juventus and he’s demonstrating that every day,” said Giorgio Chiellini, now Juve’s strategic manager, before Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
“We’ll assess the situation in due course, the door remains open on both sides.”
Vlahovic was Juve’s best player against Sporting, netting the equaliser and linking play, and he is now above summer signing Jonathan David in the pecking order.
Today: Como v Cagliari, Lecce v Verona (4pm), Juventus v Torino (7pm), Parma v AC Milan (9:45pm)
Tomorrow: Atalanta v Sassuolo (1:30pm), Bologna v Napoli, Genoa v Fiorentina (4pm), Roma v Udinese (7pm), Inter Milan v Lazio (9:45pm) — AFP Sport.
