Man Utd transfer latest: Why prolific Vlahovic could be missing link for Reds' attack

Dusan Vlahovic could be the missing link for Manchester United with his strong personality and prolific goal scoring.

Last summer they were offered him and turned him down, opting to spend £73.7 million on Benjamin Sesko instead. This summer, the Serbian is walking out of Juventus for free — and United's interest is very much alive.

Juventus did everything they could to keep him. Sporting director Damien Comolli held multiple private meetings, and the club's highest offer was a two-year extension worth £7.1 million a year with bonuses.

It still wasn't enough. Vlahovic demanded around £9 million net — a gap Juventus were unwilling to close — and he will depart the Allianz Stadium on June 30.

Europe's biggest clubs have moved quickly and decisively precisely because there is no transfer fee — only salary negotiations and personal terms.

Sesko is taking turns with Bryan Mbeumo to lead the line at Old Trafford but the club want stronger depth with an alternative profile.

Zirkzee, recruited from Bologna for £36.5 million in 2024, is set to return to Italy this summer — mirroring Hojlund's move back last season. That leaves a vacancy for a senior striker, and Vlahovic fits it squarely.

In his last 21 league games before leaving Fiorentina, Vlahovic scored 17 goals.

And he has been a consistent goal scorer for the "Old Lady" since joining the club from Fiorentina in January 2022.

Vlahovic scored 10 goals in 23 appearances for Juventus in an injury-hit 2025/26 season.

At 26, in a new environment, there is every reason to believe he could rediscover that form. A 6'3" frontman with a rocket of a left foot, he would represent a significant upgrade on what United currently have in reserve.

He will also add plenty more emotion to the United forward line as he is well known for playing with his heart on his sleeve.

Real Madrid are understood to be frontrunners, with Jose Mourinho, who will arrive as coach if Florentino Perez wins the presidential elections, keen on the player.

Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and AC Milan are also monitoring the situation — the absence of a fee has turned this into one of the most competitive free agent races of the summer.

The wage demands would put Vlahovic among the top earners at Old Trafford, which is unlikely to be attractive to INEOS — particularly given the wider financial constraints still in place at the club.

The free transfer flatters to deceive if the wage bill simply absorbs what a fee would have cost.

But United have been here before with Vlahovic and blinked. With Zirkzee on his way out and Champions League football returning to Old Trafford, the calculation has changed. This time, they can't afford to hesitate.