Dusan Vlahovic turns to Besiktas after Barcelona interest fails to develop

Dusan Vlahovic has reportedly agreed a three-year contract with Besiktas after becoming frustrated by Barcelona’s lack of decisive interest in signing him during the current summer transfer window.

The Serbia striker had made Barcelona his preferred destination despite having an attractive offer from the Turkish club. However, Barcelona’s decision not to make him a priority has forced Vlahovic to reconsider his options.

According to Turkish website Haberler, citing Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Besiktas reached an agreement with Vlahovic following intensive negotiations in recent hours.

The proposed deal would see the 25-year-old earn an annual salary of €8m. His total yearly income could rise to €10m once performance-related incentives and other bonuses are included.

Vlahovic had previously asked for time to consider Besiktas’ offer because he wanted to wait for Barcelona to clarify their position. The package put forward by the Turkish club included a signing-on bonus of more than €5m, as well as a net annual salary of €8m.

The striker’s representatives had offered his services to Barcelona at the start of the transfer window. However, the Catalan club indicated that Vlahovic was not among its main priorities, particularly because of his financial demands.

Those demands reportedly included a €10m signing-on fee and a net salary of €8m per season.

With Barcelona yet to make a clear move, Vlahovic now appears to have made a decision about his future and is close to joining Besiktas. The move would bring an end to his wait for a possible transfer to Spain.

Besiktas are expected to complete the remaining formalities of the deal after reaching an agreement with the Serbia international.

Vlahovic is available to move as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Juventus. His expected arrival in Turkey would give Besiktas a high-profile attacking option, although the final administrative steps still need to be completed before the transfer can be concluded.

The striker had remained patient while monitoring Barcelona’s position, but the absence of firm progress from the Spanish club has opened the way for Besiktas to make significant advances.

The Turkish side’s offer appears to have persuaded Vlahovic to end his uncertainty, with the financial terms providing a clear alternative to the move he had hoped to make to Barcelona.