08 August 2023 , 11:11
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Juventus and Chelsea are locked in negotiations over a swap deal between Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku – but the Italian giants are demanding an extra €40million (£34.5m).
The Blues are intent on signing a new No.9 after securing the signings of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku this summer. Nkunku is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he requires surgery for a knee injury sustained in pre-season.
Vlahovic has emerged as a prime candidate for the Blues, who are hopeful that they can secure the Serbian striker in the same deal that will see Lukaku exit Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been trying to offload the Belgian striker from their books for multiple transfer windows.
Lukaku was a popular figure with Inter before he was lured back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell in the summer of 2021 in a blockbuster £97.5million move. But after struggling to live up to expectations, the 30-year-old was shipped back out to the Serie A outfit on loan before the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Belgian striker was plagued by injuries last season and has found the net 14 times in 37 appearances but was not a regular as his side reached the Champions League final. He now risks infuriating Inter fans with his desire to join their rivals Juventus, with whom they share the Derby d’Italia.
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Yet Juve are hopeful of signing Lukaku with reports indicating they are in discussions with the Blues over a deal with Vlahovic going the other way. However, Juve’s demand for £34.5m in addition to the straight swap indicates their valuation of the Belgian striker.
Meanwhile, Gazzetta dello Sport – as cited by Sport Witness – have cast doubt on Mauricio Pochettino’s desire to sign Vlahovic at all while owner Todd Boehly also is not entirely sold on the idea, but both parties believe it is the best case scenario.
That is an indication to their desperation of selling Lukaku, who the report alleges is believed to be a highly destabilising figure by the Chelsea hierarchy. The Blues are intent on selling the striker as soon as possible and believe the deal for Vlahovic is the easiest exit route for the Belgian.
Lukaku spent last season on loan with Inter but he may now be on his way to rivals Juventus (Getty Images) Have Your Say! Would this swap deal benefit Chelsea or Juventus more ? Tell us what you think here.
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was recently quizzed on whether Lukaku would depart and, emphatically, told ESPN : "I think it is obvious. I think we can repeat this. It is obvious what is going on with him.
"I think in between the club and the player, they share the same similar ideas and we are working on that to try to fix it and have the best solution for both parties."
Arsenal pushed hard to sign Vlahovic from Fiorentina in January 2022, only for the Serbia international to instead choose Juve. He snubbed the Gunners and join the Italian giants in a £66million move and put pen to paper on a four-year contract.
That move came amid the striker’s scoring hot streak for Fiorentina, for whom he bagged 38 league goals in a season-and-a-half of Serie A action. Vlahovic has struggled to replicate that form in Turin since his switch.
He has netted a respectable 23 goals in 63 appearances for the Bianconeri but he has suffered from an absence of sustained form and fitness, suffering multiple hamstring injuries over the past year.
Juve are open to cashing-in on the striker this summer after missing out on Champions League football next season and feeling a need to cut back on their outgoings as their financial situation becomes more strained.
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