Max Allegri confirms Dusan Vlahovic ‘is the Juventus centre-forward, but if faced with important economic offers, the club will evaluate’ a potential exchange with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
The coach spoke to Sky Sport Italia after the traditional pre-season in-house showcase between the senior and youth teams of Juventus.
It is usually played at the training ground, but for this season was moved to the Allianz Juventus Stadium to allow 20,000 fans to be present.
They made their voices heard, repeatedly chanting ‘We do not want Lukaku’ during the match and cheering loudly for Vlahovic, who has been linked with Chelsea in an exchange deal for the Belgian plus cash.
“There were good indications and a good training session,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia after the 8-0 victory with a Vlahovic brace and Kaio Jorge hat-trick.
“We were a little sluggish at the start, but we are growing now and know how important this season will be for us.”
The coach was asked specifically about the Vlahovic situation, amid reports Allegri is the one pushing hardest to get Lukaku in Turin.
“Dusan is working well, he had some moments of physical difficulty, but has recovered. I am happy with the squad at my disposal, there is an important set of strikers.
“As I already said, and as (director of sport Cristiano) Giuntoli said too, Vlahovic is the centre-forward of Juventus, but if faced with important economic offers, the club will evaluate. Our objective must be to become a financially sustainable club.
“I am not getting involved, I just make technical evaluations and I am very happy with Vlahovic.”
There have been reports that the Serbian is frustrated with Allegri’s rather negative tactics and in turn that Vlahovic does not have the characteristics suited to this style of football.
Juve are ready to hand over Vlahovic to Chelsea in exchange for Lukaku plus circa €35m in cash.