Playing less than 20 minutes in Juventus’ friendly against Real Madrid, Dusan Vlahovic wasted no time in making an impact, as he scored his team’s third soon after coming on.
He celebrated by pointing to the name on the back of his shirt, which could be seen as a statement he wants to stay rather than move to Chelsea.
However, as Gazzetta dello Sport point out, Juventus have bigger priorities right now, such as their balance sheet and a need to have it in the black.
That’s why the idea of a replacing the Serbian with Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku on top of getting some cash is enticing to the Serie A side, and why talks are ‘progressing’.
The Italian newspaper explain that following the Blues’ acceptance of the inclusion of Vlahovic in the deal, ‘work is being done to find a compromise on the balance’.
Chelsea really want Lukaku away from their club, and it’s recalled they wanted a new striker for Mauricio Pochettino even before Christopher Nkunku came off injured in the latest friendly.
Juventus’ balance sheets ‘are worth more than the heart’ at this ‘historic moment’, which is why there is no room for feelings when it comes to Vlahovic.
Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna are still waiting for Chelsea to up their €20m offer (on top of Lukaku) to €35-40m, and it’s explained that, for those who are optimistic, the belief is the Stamford Bridge side’s next bid ‘could even just be a matter of days’ away.
Over at Corriere dello Sport, they also cover the situation and state there is just a €10m difference between the two sides, because while the Blues are prepared to offer €20m and the Italians want €40-50m, there is a belief €30-35m will be enough.
Chelsea, down their end, are ‘slowly convincing themselves’ that the deal is a good one, and that’s why everyone is calmly heading ‘forward towards the finish line’.
