Manchester United Exploring Vlahovic Deal, But Calvert-Lewin Emerges as Likely Arrival
Manchester United have initiated discussions with Juventus over a potential deal for Dusan Vlahovic, as the club searches for a reliable goal scorer to bolster a frontline that produced just 44 Premier League goals last season.
United’s 15th-place finish under Ruben Amorim exposed glaring deficiencies in the final third, and with Rasmus Højlund shouldering much of the responsibility in a misfiring attack, reinforcements are seen as a priority. Vlahovic, long admired by Europe’s elite, is seen as a possible solution—but the path to securing him is far from straightforward.
Sources close to the situation suggest the Red Devils have floated a player-swap proposal involving Jadon Sancho, whose strained relationship with the club has made him an expendable asset. Juventus are reportedly open to the idea, with Vlahovic’s significant wages proving a burden in Turin. The Serbian striker remains a highly-rated forward, and although United’s interest is real, so is the competition—with Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest also monitoring the situation.
However, complications around both the financial structure of the deal and the number of suitors involved may force United to look elsewhere. The backup plan, according to reports, could be Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who recently left Everton on a free transfer.
Former Everton chairman Keith Wyness believes Calvert-Lewin is likely to land at Old Trafford, describing the move as indicative of how United’s recruitment plans have shifted. “I think Man United are going to end up with Dominic,” Wyness told Football Insider. “It shows how far down their list of striker targets they’ve gone.”
Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but his pedigree as a Premier League striker is not in doubt. Newcastle have been long-term admirers, particularly with his link-up potential alongside Anthony Gordon, but wage disagreements have reportedly slowed progress on that front. Should Newcastle fail to reach an agreement, United could be poised to swoop in—especially with Amorim known to favor a mobile front man who can operate in a transitional system.
While Vlahovic may still represent the ideal profile for a striker at United, the complexity of negotiations and broader market interest suggest that a more pragmatic approach could prevail. In that scenario, Calvert-Lewin—fit and motivated—could end up being the surprise acquisition of United’s summer window.
