To secure the services of the 22-year-old Serbian nugget until 2026 – who will wear the N.7 in Turin like Cristiano Ronaldo before him – Juve said in a press release on Friday that they had paid 70 million euros , to which may be added 10 million bonuses.

The Old Lady thus largely beats the record set for a winter transaction in Italy - Milan held the prize so far with the 38 M EUR paid in 2019 for Lucas Paqueta.

Even if Juve had assured that it would not make any splash in January, the recurring difficulties of the team of Massimiliano Allegri prompted the Bianconeri to accelerate to recruit this striker followed for a long time.

Juventus have only the 11th attack in Serie A, between disappointing players (Morata, Kean) or injured players (Chiesa, season ended).

Currently 5th in the standings after a first half of the season on alternating current, she must raise her voice to hope to win one of the four qualifying tickets for the Champions League, a competition that the "Old lady" has always disputed since 2012.

The joy of the Serbian striker of Fiorentina, Dusan Vlahovic, after his goal scored against AC Milan, during the 13th day of Serie A, November 20, 2021 in Florence Filippo MONTEFORTE AFP / Archives

With Vlahovic, she gets her hands on one of the best strikers of the moment in Italy, co-top scorer in the championship with Ciro Immobile (17 goals).

Zlatan Fan

The young Serbian, who arrived at 18 in Florence, has improved his statistics season after season, with advice in particular last season from Franck Ribéry, whom he considers his "big brother".

From the head, in speed, in force or with composure from the penalty spot, the 1.90m striker impresses with his wide palette, sometimes reminiscent of that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also passed through Juve in early career and idol of Vlahovic.

Fiorentina's Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic battles with Juventus Turin's Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt during Serie A matchday 12 on November 6, 2021 in Turin Isabella BONOTTO AFP

His success in front of goal allowed Fiorentina to get involved again in the European struggle this season but also benefited Serbia, qualified for the 2022 World Cup by beating Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in qualifying.

Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic faces the Portuguese defense in their Group A qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on November 14, 2021 in Lisbon PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA AFP/Archives

"His strength is his attitude during the week, he always trains at a mile an hour. His performances are the consequence," explained his coach at Fiorentina Vincenzo Italiano this fall.

"He's lucky to be born where he was born, because you can see he has fire in him and he's hungry. I'm happy for him and my national team," Sinisa said. Mihaljovic, another Serbian who distinguished himself in Italy, now coaches in Bologna.

What about Morata and Dybala?

But these sparkling performances have obviously increased the interest around this young player.

And the Viola, after having failed to extend his lease, must therefore resolve to let him leave for Juventus, the club preferred by Vlahovic to other suitors like Arsenal.

A week before the end of the transfer window, on Monday, the Florentine leaders had officially opened the door and set the price: 70 million euros minimum.

Despite their financial difficulties, Juve rushed to conclude the deal with the striker who thus follows the path made before him by other stars of Fiorentina, Roberto Baggio (in 1990) then Federico Chiesa (in 2020).

However, this is a major financial effort for the "Old lady", while her accounts are in the red and she is under surveillance of justice, which has opened an investigation into doubtful capital gains made these recent seasons.

It is therefore not impossible that the club will have to let some large salaries go in parallel to compensate.

A departure from Alvaro Morata, the current incumbent, is not excluded, nor those from certain circles, Aaron Ramsey in the lead.

Juventus Turin's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata during the match of the 15th day of Serie A against Salernitana, November 30, 2021 in Salerno Carlo Hermann AFP / Archives

The arrival of a size of the caliber of Vlahovic could also call into question the central place promised in the future to Paulo Dybala, star at the end of the contract whose extension is still at the heart of intense negotiations.

© 2022 AFP