AC Milan and Juventus swap deal: What are the details? | OneFootball

Two Italian giants want to swap some cards.

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Although Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic has impressed during his pre-season with Juventus, the Italian giants are keen to offload the player to get rid of his hefty salary and are clearly looking for other options.

The full-back performed well in Igor Tudor's first friendly match for his team, a 2-2 draw with Reggiana, as the Zebras prepared for the new season and assessed the players' physical and technical condition.

An exchange deal between AC Milan and Juventus

The Rossoneri's sudden interest in the ex-Fiorentina man traces directly to their new bench boss - the same manager who previously pushed Juventus to acquire him during the 2022 winter window. While the player's substantial salary demands currently complicate negotiations, Milan's brass believes creative deal structuring could provide the solution. Club insiders suggest including an existing squad member as part of the transaction might offset the financial burden, making the potential signing more palatable for the San Siro accountants. This strategic approach mirrors recent successful operations where player exchanges helped facilitate major transfers without crippling the wage structure.

The proposed arrangement demonstrates Milan's evolving transfer philosophy under Allegri - blending the manager's preferred targets with fiscally responsible deal-making. As talks progress, all parties recognize the need for compromise to reunite the player with his former tactician at Italy's most decorated club.

Reports indicate Malick Thiaw has become the unexpected centerpiece of negotiations between the Serie A giants. The German center-back, who flourished under Pioli's guidance with several impressive performances, now finds himself potentially expendable as Allegri reshapes the Rossoneri's defensive line.

Across the bargaining table, Juventus maintain a firm €20 million valuation for their star striker - a figure representing the bare minimum to avoid financial loss on their original €80 million investment. With Thiaw's market value pegged at €15 million, both clubs are reportedly exploring creative formulas to bridge the gap, possibly through structured payments or additional player exchanges.

The proposed deal highlights the complex financial realities facing Italian clubs, where balancing books often requires inventive solutions. For Thiaw, this could mark a pivotal moment - either as leverage in negotiations or as a talented defender seeking to prove his worth under new management.