Victor Osimhen’s potential transfer to Juventus has hit a stumbling block, with Dusan Vlahovic reportedly refusing to be included in a proposed swap deal with Napoli.
According to Il Corriere della Sera, cited by Calciomercato, the Serbian striker has rejected the idea of joining Napoli, effectively freezing Juventus’ pursuit of the Nigerian international.
The proposed deal, which would have seen Juventus offer Vlahovic plus cash in exchange for Osimhen, now appears to be off the table unless there is a change in stance from the player.
Osimhen, who is nearing the final stages of his contract with Napoli, has expressed interest in joining the Turin giants. After returning from a loan spell at Galatasaray, the Super Eagles forward has drawn attention from several top European clubs, with Juventus appearing as one of the most serious contenders for his signature. However, with no resolution in sight over Vlahovic’s future, the deal remains on hold.
The root of the impasse lies in Vlahovic’s reluctance to play under Napoli’s newly appointed manager, Antonio Conte. The 24-year-old forward, who joined Juventus from Fiorentina in 2022, is not believed to be keen on the prospect of a move to Naples, despite the club’s ambition and its status as one of Italy’s most competitive sides.
For Juventus, Osimhen has long been viewed as an ideal fit to spearhead their attack under new manager Thiago Motta. The Nigerian’s blend of power, pace, and consistent goal-scoring in Serie A has made him one of the most coveted forwards in Europe.
However, Napoli’s valuation of their star man remains high, and with Osimhen under contract until 2026, they are not under immediate pressure to sell without receiving what they consider fair value.
Juventus, meanwhile, are trying to navigate a complex summer transfer window as they restructure their squad. Including Vlahovic in a swap deal was seen as a way to offset the financial demands of a direct purchase.
But the Serbian striker’s refusal now places the burden back on the Juventus hierarchy to either convince him to reconsider or to find an alternative financial route to secure Osimhen.
Osimhen, 25, remains one of Serie A’s standout performers, having played a central role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign in the 2022–2023 season. His market value, reportedly over €100 million, continues to pose a significant challenge for any interested club, especially in the context of Financial Fair Play regulations.
As it stands, Juventus’ ambition to land the Nigerian striker will depend largely on whether they can find another buyer for Vlahovic or present an improved offer that satisfies Napoli’s valuation. Until then, the prospect of Osimhen swapping Naples for Turin remains in limbo.
