AC Milan is closing in fast on Barcelona’s most wanted target as the Italian club ramps up efforts to hijack the deal.
With Robert Lewandowski’s contract winding down and Hansi Flick demanding a prolific No.9 successor, Deco has prioritized a high-profile forward whose Juventus deal expires in 2026.
The Catalan giants see a golden free-agent opportunity, but mounting competition threatens to derail their plans.
That target is Dušan Vlahović, the powerful Serbian striker whose agent has pitched him across Europe to lukewarm response—except from Barcelona and AC Milan, as reported by TuttoJuve.
Despite overtures to Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Tottenham, and others, only these two clubs showed serious interest, rebuffing grand salary demands around €12m net annually.
Vlahović craves a Camp Nou move to spearhead Barca’s attack, but Milan’s resurgence under new ownership positions them to pounce aggressively.
Milan’s appeal lies in Champions League football, immediate starting guarantees, and a less financially strained wage bill than Barcelona’s La Liga-capped structure.
Reports indicate Vlahović’s camp views the Rossoneri as a strong fallback if Deco hesitates, especially with Inter Milan’s title charge creating space in the San Siro pecking order.
Juventus contract talks remain deadlocked over wages, accelerating his likely exit without a fee—ideal for both suitors but agonizing for Barca’s budget.
Vlahović’s allure is undeniable: 20+ goals per Serie A season, lethal aerially at 6’3″, and relentless pressing, fitting Flick’s system perfectly.
He edges Julian Alvarez as a cost-free pivot post-Lewandowski, blending physicality with Lewandowski-esque finishing.
Yet Milan’s Champions League pedigree and lack of salary cap woes give them hijack potential, particularly if Barcelona prioritizes defensive reinforcements first.
Deco’s dilemma intensifies. Securing Vlahović demands swift pre-contract action by March, lest AC Milan seal a verbal agreement.
With presidential elections looming, Laporta’s board can’t afford another transfer miss like 2021’s Messi saga.
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