Juventus have made an offer, but at a wage reduction of roughly fifty per cent — down from €12million net per season to €6-7million. The club imposed a new internal salary ceiling earlier this year and Vlahovic's current earnings sit well above it.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Vlahovic plans to use every remaining day of the deadline before committing to any decision. Juventus are expecting a response by the end of May.
Two further sticking points have prevented any agreement: a dispute over the agent's commission and disagreement over a signing-on fee. Neither has been resolved. With the parties still apart on all fronts, the prospect of Vlahovic walking away for nothing is now the most likely outcome.
He has been tracking Bayern Munich's situation carefully. The Bundesliga champions have decided against triggering their purchase option on Nicolas Jackson, the Senegal striker on loan from Chelsea, which will leave a vacancy in attack behind Harry Kane. Vlahovic is aware of the opening and believes he can fill it.
Barcelona remain the second option. Robert Lewandowski, 37, is out of contract this summer and there is genuine uncertainty about whether the Polish striker stays at Camp Nou. Should he leave, Barcelona would need a replacement immediately — and Vlahovic, available for nothing, fits the financial logic of a club that must still manage spending carefully.
Initial contact has been made between Vlahovic's representatives and Barcelona's hierarchy, though no formal offer has been submitted from either club. No concrete approach from a European rival has yet arrived, which means Vlahovic is currently holding out for clubs that have not yet committed.
The 26-year-old returned from his latest injury setback to score a free-kick against Hellas Verona recently, confirming he still has the quality to operate at the top level when fit. This season has been badly disrupted by a serious knee injury that ruled him out for four months, followed by further setbacks on return.
The longer he waits without a firm offer, the less leverage he holds. A striker who has already confirmed his departure is in a weaker negotiating position than one who hasn't — and Vlahovic may be about to learn that distinction at significant personal cost.