Real Madrid shot down over €80m striker

Stuart Telford

• 16 Apr 2023 06:13 CDT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are in the market for a new striker with Karim Benzema turning 36 next season, but their hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus appear to be slim to none.

Benzema won the Ballon d'Or as recently as October and the former France forward is likely to sign a new one-year extension on his current deal. Real will also acquire Brazilian prodigy Endrick from Palmeiras for €72 million once he turns 18 in the summer of 2024.

But with both striker either side of their prime, Real could do with an attacker at the peak of their powers in the here and now.

READ: Real Madrid's Mbappe interest questioned by club legend

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are continually linked to the record European champions, but it might take a transfer world record to acquire either at a time when Madrid are trying to fund a redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vlahovic has been floated as a more financially viable alternative, but Juventus Chief Football Officer Francesco Calvo is having none of it.

Vlahovic 'crucial' to Juventus' future project'

"We have no doubts about Dusan as a crucial player for our present and future projects despite the links and stories that are being published," he said when pressed on the Serbian's status at the club.

READ: Vlahovic's Arsenal U-turn after 'sensationally wrong' decision

"We see how hard he works every day in training, so we have confidence in the present and the future, we're optimistic."

Juventus' whole board resigned late last year amid accusations of false accounting and market manipulation. But despite their legal and financial troubles, there has been no fire sale mooted as yet.

Juve paid Fiorentina €81.6m for Vlahovic's services in January 2022, with the player spurning Arsenal to sign for the Old Lady. He has hit 11 goals in 32 games for them since, as well as adding four assists.