This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1d ago
Atlético make Dušan Vlahović choice as Sørloth’s future takes a turn
TURIN, ITALY - 2025/09/16: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring a goal during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase - Matchday1 football match between Juventus FC and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Stadium. Final Score: Juventus FC 4 | 4 Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Five years after it failed in a bid to sign Dušan Vlahović from Fiorentina, Atlético de Madrid have made contact to sign the Serbia striker as a free agent — whether Alexander Sørloth stays at the club or not.
Vlahović has been coveted on a free transfer since his contract at Juventus expired last month. Beşiktaş , FC Barcelona , Manchester United and even Juve themselves have been tied to the 26-year-old, who was the top earner in Serie A on a €12 million per year net salary.
Vlahović stands little hope of earning such a wage package at his next club, and his entourage seems to be aware of that — which creates the conditions for Mateu Alemany to pursue him after a month on the open market.
Matteo Moretto states that Vlahović is “waiting” for Atlético’s offer, and he has “ prioritized ” joining the Rojiblancos after rejecting them in 2021 . Initially, Moretto claimed that Atleti would only attempt the Vlahović signing if Sørloth left the club, but there may be a way to keep both left-footed forwards .
Il Fenerbahce ha individuato in Sorloth il principale obiettivo per l'attacco. Dialogo aperto con l'Atletico Madrid. I turchi presenteranno un'offerta di prestito con obbligo a 35M. @sportmediaset
— Orazio Accomando (@OAccomando91) August 7, 2026
Turkish club Fenerbahçe has reignited its interest in Sørloth; according to journalist Sercan Hamzaoğlu, Fener have been quoted a €40 million fee to sign the Norwegian. But Italian reporter Orazio Accomando has claimed that Atlético are open to a loan with a €35 million obligation to buy.
After he spurned Atleti in August 2021, Vlahović joined Juventus five months later in a €70 million transfer. His time in Turin had ups and downs; his arrival coincided with Juve’s steep decline from the summit of Serie A, and he played under four “permanent” head coaches in four-and-a-half seasons. Vlahović battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his stint at the Old Lady, with whom he won a single Coppa Italia in 2024. Last season, Vlahović scored just seven goals across 19 appearances in Serie A as Juve placed a disappointing sixth.
Vlahović (68 goals over 168 games at Juventus) and Sørloth (44 goals over 107 games at Atlético) are tall, physical, left-footed forwards remarkably-similar returns in front of goal, and keeping both players in the team wouldn’t make much sense. Vlahović‘s development stalled at an unstable Juve, and even signing him on a Bosman carries risk given his injury record. He last scored 20 or more goals in all competitions in 2021/22.
But as we know, Atleti are not spoiled for choice in the center-forward market this summer (Victor Osimhen remains an unrealistic target, I’m sorry). And selling Sørloth for €40 million while signing Vlahović for a total package of, let’s say, €20 million between his salary and signing bonus allows the club to come out ahead.
As a piece of financial engineering, such a swap is understandable. I’m just not sure about the fit.
AtlVlahoviJuventusDusan VlahovicJuventus FCUEFA Champions LeagueLeague PhaseBorussia DortmundAllianz StadiumFinal ScorePhotoFabrizio Carabelli
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