Ex-Italy Striker Argues Juventus Should Keep Dusan Vlahovic Rather Than Signing Romelu Lukaku

Former Fiorentina, Bayern Munich, and Juventus striker Luca Toni feels Juventus shoudl keep Dusan Vlahovic and not sign Romelu Lukaku.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in yesterday’s print edition, via L’Interista, the former striker argued that the Bianconeri would be better off focusing on the longer term by keeping Vlahovic.

In a shock turn of events, Chelsea striker Lukaku now looks as though he could make the move to Juventus.

For weeks, it had been Inter negotiating with the Blues to try and sign the 30-year-old Belgian international. Having had the striker on loan last season, they looked on the verge of signing him permanently.

However, the talks have come to an abrupt and screeching halt.

The reason for this is the fact that Lukaku evidently looks receptive to joining Juventus. Even despite the traditional rivalry between the Bianconeri and Inter.

A move of the Belgian to the Allianz Stadium would certainly send shockwaves around Italian football.

There are plenty of questions about what it would mean on the pitch, however.

Toni: Juventus Better Off Keeping Vlahovic Than Signing Lukaku

One thing that would have to happen before the Bianconeri could move for Lukaku would be a sale of Vlahovic.

The Serb would have to depart in order to make space in the squad and the wage bill.

In terms of the two strikers’ respective quality, replacing Vlahovic with Lukaku would make a certain level of sense. The two players had very similar numbers in Serie A last season.

However, in the view of former striker Toni, the players’ ages are also important factors that Juventus should consider.

He observed that “First of all, it’s necessary to see whether or not Vlahovic wants to stay at Juventus.”

“Being their Number Nine is a privilege, and no one should be there reluctantly.”

Toni argued that “Dusan is a top player, there’s no debating that despite some of his difficulties.”

He then said that “Lukaku is a great player, he would be a great signing. But given Vlahovic’s age, I’d keep him since he can represent both the present and the future.”