Barcelona linked with move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic as Robert Lewandowski replacement

Barcelona are considering a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic next summer, according to reports in Italy. 

The 25-year-old Serbia international, who is expected to leave the Turin club on a free transfer when his current deal expires next year, is being lined up as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who will likewise be out of contract at the end of the season.  

Deco, the Barcelona sporting director, has reportedly held informal discussions with Vlahovic’s agent Darko Ristic about a move for the 6ft 3in forward, who has scored 62 goals in 153 appearances for Juventus.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made plain his admiration for Erling Haaland, but a move for the free-scoring Norway international, whose Manchester City contract does not expire until 2034, would appear unlikely given the Catalan club’s financial circumstances.    

Vlahovic, who has also been linked with Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, would represent a more viable target and, while he would be hard pushed to rival Lewandowski’s extraordinary output of 105 goals from 156 games, neither would he command the Poland international’s £350,000 a week salary.

Where will Robert Lewandowski go if he leaves Barcelona?

It is understood that Barcelona are unlikely to exercise an option to extend Lewandowski’s contract by a further 12 months, and the 37-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs including AC Milan, Atlético Madrid and Fenerbahce. However, the Pole’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has played down speculation linking the striker with a move to Saudi Arabia.

“Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona expires in the summer of 2026, and no decisions have been made yet,” Zahavi said this week. “We have to wait and see what happens in the coming days. There is nothing official regarding negotiations with Saudi Arabian teams. There are no offers at this time.”

Lewandowski has scored four goals in nine appearances for Barcelona this season, but is expected to miss up to six games, including the first El Clasico of the campaign at the Bernabéu later this month, after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty.

The setback will do little to ease scrutiny surrounding the striker’s future but Lewandowski, who reportedly hopes to remain at Barcelona even if it means a salary reduction and a more limited role, has rejected suggestions that he is in decline. 

“To say I don’t run any more or don’t put in the work is absurd,” he told the Polish media. “I’m well aware that at my age, playing less could actually benefit me over the course of the season.”