According to a report from The Sun, during the summer, Chelsea made an attempt to acquire Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus, even proposing a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku. However, this deal ultimately did not materialize, with Lukaku instead joining Roma on loan and Vlahovic remaining in Italy. Mauricio Pochettino’s side has struggled with a lack of clinical finishing this season and are currently in need of attacking reinforcements.
Juventus Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli has now disclosed the reason behind the failed bid, stating, “We had no intention of selling Dusan, but there was a certain valuation at which we would have considered it. Chelsea never reached that valuation, and therefore, the swap involving Lukaku never occurred.”
Vlahovic’s Outstanding Performances in Italian Football This Season
Vlahovic is currently enjoying a commendable season, displaying a series of impressive performances in the attacking role. The Serbian talent managed to net five goals and provide one assist in six outings for Juventus across various competitions in the previous campaign.
The 23-year-old has consistently demonstrated his goal-scoring abilities in the final third, evident from his average of 3.0 shots, 0.5 key passes, and 0.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A. Nonetheless, he has faced challenges in maintaining accuracy in his passing to teammates, completing 73.2% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Italian football (statistics sourced from Whoscored).
Should Pochettino Bring Him Aboard At Chelsea In January?
Vlahovic exhibits an impressive ability to carve out space for himself, enabling him to take shots at the goal. When he’s performing at his best, the Serbian talent proves to be a skilled finisher in the attacking third. While he can occasionally generate scoring opportunities for his teammates in advanced positions, there is room for improvement in terms of consistency in front of the opposing goal.
At the youthful age of 23, Vlahovic holds immense promise, making him a valuable long-term prospect that Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino could greatly benefit from acquiring this summer. His potential could serve as a suitable replacement for Nkunku, who is currently sidelined due to injuries at the West London club.
Vlahovic’s arrival would significantly bolster Pochettino’s array of attacking options, providing a substantial contribution in terms of goal-scoring. There is even the potential for him to enhance Chelsea’s prospects in competing for major trophies in the forthcoming years. However, it’s important to acknowledge that a substantial transfer fee will be required, and the financial aspect needs to be carefully considered.
