Dusan Vlahovic Is Still a Free Agent. Manchester United Might Be Desperate Enough to Call.

Manchester United’s summer striker search just got a little more interesting. With Benjamin Sesko still working his way back from injury and Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford looking shaky, the club is reportedly circling back on a name that has popped up in their transfer files more than a few times over the years: Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian striker, 25, is currently without a club after his exit from Juventus. That part is real. He’s available on a free transfer, which is the kind of math United’s front office tends to like. But here’s the catch — Barcelona is also sniffing around. So if United wants him, they can’t drag their feet like they usually do with these things.

What’s the hold up?

Zirkwee has started both preseason games so far because Sesko isn’t fit yet. And while Zirkzee scored against Rosenborg, the club’s plans for him don’t seem set in stone. One source told Stretty News that United could look for a short-term No. 9, someone experienced, maybe in the mold of Wout Weghorst’s loan stint a couple of years ago. But only if Zirkzee leaves.

Sesko is expected back by August, but he’s 23 and United are in four competitions this season. You can’t have him carry the load every single game. That’s just not realistic.

INEOS wanted a Premier League-proven veteran striker. Danny Welbeck was the name. But Welbeck is reportedly closing in on a move to Chelsea instead. So that door is pretty much shut.

Vlahovic’s numbers still hold up

Here’s the thing about Vlahovic — he’s hit double-digit goals in each of his last three seasons. That’s not nothing. The guy has consistently found the net even when playing for teams that weren’t exactly clicking on all cylinders. United have tracked him across multiple windows, but his wage demands always got in the way. Whether he’s more flexible now that he’s a free agent? That’s the million-dollar question.

Barcelona being in the picture complicates things. United would need to move fast, which is not really their style. And none of this happens unless Zirkzee is actually out the door first. That part is key.

Vlahovic is 25, available, and knows where the goal is. But the clock is ticking.