Fabio Capello has told Corriere dello Sport he expects Juventus to pair Dusan Vlahovic with Alvaro Morata over Paulo Dybala, amid reports Liverpool want the striker in a free transfer.
The Bianconeri are closing in on a deal to sign Vlahovic from Fiorentina and beat Monday’s deadline. Sky Italia report the Serbian arrived in Turin on Friday morning to begin a medical ahead of €75m (£62.5m) move. The fee includes potential add-ons for the 22-year-old star.
Vlahovic is Serie A’s top-scorer so far this term with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile on 17 goals. He also accounts for 41% of the Viola’s total 41. His haul additionally follows a 21-goal tally last term but in 16 fewer appearances. He has also failed to find the net nine times this season.
Morata’s future in black-and-white, meanwhile, is in doubt as Barcelona are keen on a deal. AS note the La Liga giants met the forward’s agent on Thursday, as Xavi Hernandez is ready to welcome him. But a transfer is in doubt with the forward still owned by Atletico Madrid.
So, Capello expects Massimiliano Allegri will pick Vlahovic to lead the Juventus attack with Morata over Dybala following his transfer. As while the former England manager believes the Argentine is technically the superior player, Morata offers the more reliable option.
“For me, they make a good couple,” Capello said. “More than Vlahovic-Dybala? Dybala has better quality, without a doubt. Probably Vlahovic would be even better at throwing than Morata. But we always have to hope that [Dybala] is well. His weakness? It’s there.”
Vlahovic-Morata partnership can offer Liverpool a Dybala transfer boost
Allegri living up to Capello’s expectations and selecting a Juventus frontline of Vlahovic and Morata can give Liverpool a boost in their bid to sign Dybala in a free transfer this summer.
Reports by TuttoMercatoWEB note the Reds are following Dybala’s situation closely as the forward is out of contract in June. Inter Milan are also keen, but Liverpool could present a pre-contract offer over the coming weeks. A move to Anfield also appeals to the Argentine.
Juventus will meet Dybala to discuss his future in February, while Gazzetta dello Sport cite Manchester City among his suitors. The Serie A side and their €32m (£27m) star had agreed a new deal in October, per Corriere della Sera. But the Old Lady decided to delay the deal.
Dybala would have earned €8m-a-year (£128-a/w) plus €1.5m (£1.25m) in bonuses, while the contract would have run to 2026. But Allegri picking Morata, not Dybala, as Vlahovic’s partner could force the Liverpool target to give a transfer to Anfield much greater thought.
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