Dusan Vlahovic Chooses Turkey: No Regrets, He Won't Be Missed

Dusan Vlahovic has opted for a new challenge in Turkey, joining Besiktas. This professional decision is considered beneficial for all parties involved.

The transfer is all but finalized. Next year, Dusan Vlahovic will be playing in Turkey. An agreement has been reached with Besiktas, the club that has essentially guaranteed him the salary he has long sought. This includes a significant signing bonus (around 10 million euros) and a three-year contract worth 30 million euros in total. Considering that the Premier League and La Liga have overlooked him, it seems he has not fared too badly.

Many Besiktas fans have already welcomed him on his Instagram profile, eagerly anticipating his arrival. He is the major signing for the historic black-and-white club, a response to Lukaku, the new star of Fenerbahce, and perhaps even to Leao, a potential future star for Galatasaray (though this is becoming increasingly unlikely). Vincenzo Italiano, the new coach of Besiktas, was instrumental in the Vlahovic operation. The two worked together, albeit for a few months, at Fiorentina before Juventus invested 70 million euros (plus 10 million in bonuses) in the Serbian during the winter transfer window of 2022. I have no doubt that Vlahovic will achieve great things in Turkey, but please, let's have no regrets.

No Need for Regrets, Here's Why

Those who are showering the Serbian with praise seem to forget his on-field performances, especially his recent ones. While he showed commitment, the results, to put it mildly, did not match the expectations for Juventus' number 9. It's true that he was significantly hampered by injuries, but he never truly developed during his time in black and white. He departs in essentially the same state as he arrived in January 2022.

No, he will not be missed, at least not by this writer. He had numerous opportunities to prove he could become the leader of Juventus. He squandered them all, displaying only determination but little quality. Again, he will do very well in Turkey, and that's fine. The important thing is that with every goal he scores for Besiktas, we don't start talking about what a mistake it was to let him go. No one forced him out. The decision to leave the Old Lady was his (and his agents'). And, honestly, it was the right choice. Continuing on the same path would have been problematic for everyone, especially for the Serbian. He needed a new professional challenge, just as Juventus needed another number 9. Now, Kolo Muani is here; we need to support the Frenchman and not miss the Serbian. At least, that's how I see it...