Vlahović Chooses Beşiktaş
The Serbian international has finally made a decision about his future after a months-long saga and an ultimatum from the Turkish giants. A lucrative contract awaits him in Istanbul.
The Serbian international has finally made a decision about his future after a months-long saga and an ultimatum from the Turkish giants. A lucrative contract awaits him in Istanbul.
The months-long saga surrounding Dušan Vlahović's future has finally reached its conclusion. The Serbian international, who has been a free agent since the start of July following the expiration of his contract with Juventus, has chosen his new destination. According to Tportal, the 26-year-old striker will continue his career with Turkish side Beşiktaş.
Vlahović is expected to sign a three-year contract in Istanbul, with the official confirmation of the transfer expected to arrive very soon, barring any last-minute twists. This move puts an end to a period of uncertainty during which Vlahović was linked with a host of European giants.
While sources don't fully agree on the details of the offer, it's clear that Beşiktaş has presented Vlahović with terms that are hard to refuse. Tportal reports that he is set to sign a three-year deal worth around €8 million net per season, with his annual earnings potentially exceeding €10 million when bonuses are included. On top of that, a substantial signing bonus awaits him.
On the other hand, Dnevno.hr relays Turkish media reports about two options that were on the table. The first involved a contract until 2030 with an annual salary of €10 million and an additional €10 million signing bonus. The second, a three-year option, would bring him as much as €13 million per year, along with €12 million in fees spread over three years.
Vlahović arrives at Beşiktaş after four and a half years at Juventus. For the Turin club, he played a total of 168 matches, scoring 68 goals and providing 16 assists. Although he was a target for Barcelona, Bayern, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, and even Real Madrid during the summer, concrete deals with those clubs never materialized.
Beşiktaş coach Vincenzo Italiano played a key role in bringing Vlahović to the club, having an excellent relationship with the Serbian striker from their time together at Fiorentina. The Italian tactician reportedly called him personally several times to persuade him to make the move.
Although Vlahović delayed his decision hoping for an offer from Spain, patience at Beşiktaş was wearing thin. On Monday, August 10, the club issued a clear ultimatum: he had 48 hours to make up his mind. Some Turkish media outlets also relayed a stern message from the Bosphorus: "Accept or forget about us."
Clearly, the pressure bore fruit. Beşiktaş offers him what was particularly important at this stage of his career, the status of first-choice striker and a key role in the team, which, combined with top financial terms, proved decisive.
