Vlahovic set for Besiktas switch

Dusan Vlahovic has agreed to join Besiktas as a free agent following his departure from Juventus, according to reports. The Turkish club announced on Tuesday that negotiations were under way to sign the Serbia international, before posting a message on social media that read: “Dusan is coming.”

The 26-year-old striker scored 68 goals across four-and-a-half seasons in Turin. His Juventus contract expired earlier this summer, allowing him to move to Besiktas without a transfer fee.

From €75 million signing to free agent

Vlahovic joined Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2022 in a deal worth €75 million ($88.3 million). He had previously been one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards, with Arsenal among the clubs reported to have shown strong interest.

His spell in Turin was disrupted by fitness problems. An adductor injury kept him out for more than three months between December and March last season, limiting him to 23 club appearances during a campaign affected by repeated setbacks.

Turkish Super Lig attracting major forwards

Vlahovic’s proposed move adds another high-profile attacking name to the Turkish Super Lig. Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood have joined Fenerbahce, while Mohamed Salah has moved to Trabzonspor.

Before Juventus, Vlahovic established himself at Fiorentina, scoring 49 goals in 108 appearances. He broke through during the 2020-21 season with 21 goals in all competitions, then scored 29 times the following campaign. He has also scored 16 goals in 41 appearances for Serbia.