Juventus eye Udinese striker as potential Vlahovic backup | OneFootball

Juventus are currently on the lookout for Dusan Vlahovic’s backup after Arkadiusz Milik’s recovery time proved longer than expected, and they reportedly set their eyes on one of Serie A’s most prolific Italian strikers.

The Polish forward underwent a second knee surgery in early October, which is likely to keep him sidelined until 2025, which is why Bianconeri director Cristiano Giuntoli is gathering ideas to strengthen the Old Lady’s attack during the winter transfer market.

Juventus monitor Lucca but are likely to face Udinese’s resistance

Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca is among the players followed by Juventus, who are reportedly monitoring his progress before considering whether to make a move for him in the winter.

According to calciomercato.com, the Old Lady’s football director Cristiano Giuntoli rates Lucca highly since his time at Serie B outfit Pisa, and the name of the 24-year-old has remained on his wishlist, as he considers him an ideal reinforcement for Juventus.

UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Lorenzo Lucca of Udinese celebrates scoring a goal with teammate Hassane Kamara (#11) during the Serie A match between Udinese and SS Lazio at Stadio Friuli on August 24, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

However, Udinese paid almost €9m to make the striker’s move to the Bluenergy Stadium from Pisa permanent last summer, and they’d like to keep him at least until the end of the season to see his price tag raise. Therefore, only an extremely lucrative offer could persuade them to do otherwise.

Lucca started his season by scoring three goals from eight Serie A games with his club, as well as netting twice in as many Coppa Italia games.

He’s currently the third-best Italian scorer in the league alongside Genoa’s Andrea Pinamonti, as they’re only preceded by Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui and Como’s Patrick Cutrone, with Lucca being the youngest player in the lot.