Manchester United have added experienced striker Dušan Vlahović to their forward shortlist, exploring a potential free‑transfer signing — but any progress will only happen if Joshua Zirkzee leaves Old Trafford before the window closes.
The 26‑year‑old Serbian international became an unrestricted free agent on 30 June 2026, after his Juventus contract expired and extension talks broke down over salary differences. United’s recruitment team view him as a cost‑effective alternative to higher‑priced targets like Ollie Watkins, with no transfer fee required.
Vlahović is an out‑and‑out centre‑forward / number 9 — 6ft 3in tall, left‑footed, strong in the air and clinical inside the box. He scored 50 goals in 123 appearances for Juventus, having previously netted 44 league goals for Fiorentina, and hit 12 goals across all competitions last term. He was originally signed by Juventus for around £66 million in January 2022.
🚧 Key Details & Hurdles
- Wage demands: Reports indicate he is seeking roughly £130,000 per week, which needs to fit United’s salary structure.
- Competing interest: Barcelona and Napoli are also monitoring his situation; he has received one formal offer from Beşiktaş but delayed a decision in hope of a top‑five‑league move.
- No formal steps: There have been no official talks, bids or agreed terms between United and Vlahović’s representatives — the club are only monitoring for now.
- Conditional interest: United will only advance this pursuit if Zirkzee departs, with the Dutchman linked with a return to Italy.
