Barcelona are already working behind the scenes to solve a problem that leaves no room for improvisation: who will inherit the No. 9 shirt once Robert Lewandowski’s cycle comes to an end. The name gaining real traction is Dusan Vlahovic, currently at Juventus, nearing the final stretch of his contract and still far from any renewal agreement. The interest is real, and an initial contact has already been made, according to the newspaper Marca. The issue is that AC Milan have also entered the race and can offer something Barça can’t guarantee right now: immediate protagonism.
What does Barcelona see in Vlahovic?
Barcelona’s assessment is anything but emotional. Vlahovic isn’t at the peak of his career, but he hasn’t become a sporting liability either. His numbers with Juventus this season reflect that. In 17 matches, he’s posted six goals and two assists. It’s not the output of a striker in a golden run, but it’s also far from the return of someone in free fall. For Barça, that balance matters. The club isn’t looking for a savior, it’s looking for someone capable of holding the position once Lewandowski steps aside.
The contract situation helps. His deal runs through 2026, talks haven’t progressed, and the player himself knows he’s reached a stage where decisions carry more weight than speeches. Financially squeezed, Barcelona see an opportunity to let time do the work, whether that means negotiating now at a reduced price or pushing for a no-cost move further down the line.
Milan enter the picture with a simple argument
While Barcelona focus on succession, Milan are thinking about centrality. The Italian club have also made signing a center forward an absolute priority for next season. The recent arrival of Niclas Füllkrug doesn’t change that. The German signed a short-term deal and delivered a modest Premier League spell, scoring just three goals in 29 appearances for West Ham. Vlahovic, on the other hand, would be treated as the focal point from day one.
He wouldn’t have to fight for symbolic space or carry the feeling of replacing a recent legend. On top of that, staying in Italy removes the burden of tactical and cultural adaptation, not to mention the fact that he knows Massimiliano Allegri well from their time working together.