Manchester United is reportedly in talks with Juventus over a potential swap deal involving striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has emerged as a top target for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Vlahovic, who joined Juventus for £60 million in January 2022, has scored 53 goals and provided 11 assists in 123 appearances, although his time at the club has been somewhat inconsistent. Juventus manager Thiago Motta is reportedly willing to part with the 24-year-old if they can find a suitable replacement.
Transfer expert Rudy Galetti recently confirmed that Arsenal has prioritized Vlahovic as their main target for the January transfer window, with Arteta preferring him over a direct replacement for Bukayo Saka. Other options for Arsenal include Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford, as well as Jamie Gittens and Leroy Sane, but they now face competition from United, who have a potential bargaining chip in the form of Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee, who moved to United in the summer for £36 million, has had a challenging time at Old Trafford, being substituted early in a match against Newcastle, which led to jeers from United fans. Despite his £36 million move, Zirkzee has struggled to secure a regular spot in the team, and reports suggest he would be open to a move away from United. His performances under Motta at Bologna, where he helped the team qualify for the Champions League, make him an attractive option for Juventus.
Juventus, dealing with financial constraints, is reportedly exploring the possibility of a swap deal with United, with Zirkzee being offered as a potential replacement for Vlahovic. Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, has already hinted at the possibility of a move. According to journalist Enrico Camelio, the idea of a swap between Vlahovic and Zirkzee is “plausible” and could provide a solution for both clubs.
