Free agent delays his move to Besiktas as he continues eye for Barcelona transfer

Barcelona’s quest to replace Robert Lewandowski has yet to extend beyond Julian Alvarez, with the club still ready to wait for the Argentina international.

Other players who have been linked with a move to Barcelona as a potential Alvarez alternative include Dusan Vlahovic, Fisnik Asllani and Eli Junior Kroupi.

Among them, Vlahovic is perhaps the most financially feasible option as he is currently a free agent, having run down his contract at Juventus.

Vlahovic waiting for Barcelona

A recent report from Diario SPORT has shed some colour on Vlahovic’s interesting position as a free agent.

Vlahovic is keen on joining Barcelona. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The striker is yet to find a new club but has an offer from Besiktas, who are willing hand him a net salary of €8 million, with an additional €5 million signing bonus.

It’s an offer no club is likely to match. But Vlahovic hasn’t committed to it yet and has asked for more time to decide, even though Besiktas have already given him an ultimatum.

Besiktas coach Vincenzo Italiano is keen on attaining the services of Vlahovic, having worked with the Serbian in the past. But the striker continues to stall a move.

The report suggests Vlahovic is waiting on Barcelona, as he believes the Catalans will be forced to sign an alternative, if they fail on their pursuit of Alvarez.

Will Barcelona sign Vlahovic?

Vlahovic is ready to take the risk. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

It must be noted that Vlahovic was offered to Barcelona by his agent earlier in the summer, but the Catalans did not entertain the option as they were focusing on Alvarez.

The striker’s demands were not liked either. The player demanded a salary of €10 million and a signing bonus of €8 million, which were unattainable for the Catalan outfit.

However, things have changed since. Barcelona have not made any inroads in the pursuit of Alvarez while Ferran Torres may leave the club, in favour of a move to PSG.

That could leave Barcelona in a spot of bother, as they are without any natural number nine.

The Catalans, though, still have reservations over Vlahovic. Although they acknowledge his quality, they believe his physical form has not been up to the mark.

The player, nevertheless, is ready to wait and take a gamble.