Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino may be set to bolster their attacking ranks once again
Chelsea have been given the ‘green light’ to complete a player plus cash deal for Dusan Vlahovic this summer. The Blues are long-term admirers of the striker and are keen to strike a deal that would see Romelu Lukaku head in the opposite direction.
Mauricio Pochettino made it his mission to reduce the size of his squad significantly this summer and improve morale, with both issues being addressed by selling those who wanted to leave. Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta were among those to be offloaded, with very few wantaway stars remaining at the club.
Lukaku has not been shy about his desire to leave Chelsea following his loan spell at Inter Milan, with the Belgian international looking destined to return to the San Siro. However, a change of heart saw that relationship break down on bad terms.
Chelsea have entertained offers from Saudi Arabia for the ex-Manchester United star, but a move within Europe is his preferred choice. Thus, the chance to join Juventus as part of a deal to sign Vlahovic has been approved by the player, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that he has agreed on a three-year deal with the Italian side.
Negotiations are ongoing between Juve and Chelsea about the logistics of the deal, with the Blues being asked to pay an additional £34.4million to sign Vlahovic. The Serbian scored 10 in 27 appearances last season but never truly looked settled at the Allianz Stadium, and he can now make his long-awaited move to the Premier League.
Vlahovic came close to joining Arsenal whilst he was at Fiorentina but snubbed the move in favour of joining Juventus. According to OkCalcioMercato, the Gunners saw an £88m bid accepted for the forward in January 2022 but was adamant that he would remain in Italy during negotiations.
The 22-year-old joined the club on an eight-year deal and has already shown in pre-season why he was given such a vote of confidence from the higher powers at the club. Jackson has scored twice in five appearances in America since making the move, with his willingness to press high proving a useful attribute when Pochettino’s side have been out of possession.