Real Madrid had the opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic but turned down the offers as they waited for Kylian Mbappe.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, intermediaries offered Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic to Real Madrid this past summer. But Los Blancos turned down the opportunity to sign both players from Serie A clubs Napoli and Juventus, respectively. That is because they have been waiting to secure Kylian Mbappe’s services.
Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen are two of the best young strikers in Serie A, although the duo has achieved varying degrees of success at their respective clubs. Osimhen endured teething problems at SSC Napoli after arriving from LOSC Lille in a big-money move.
But he has not looked back since finding his feet at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. And the Nigerian international was a talismanic figure as Napoli ended a long wait to win the Serie A title. Osimhen has also started the 2023/24 season strongly, scoring thrice in as many games for Napoli.
On the other hand, Vlahovic had his best moments at Fiorentina, often scoring goals for fun. But he has not translated that to a productive output at Juventus after the initial high. But after scoring only 14 goals last term, the Serb has started the new season strongly, finding the back of the net twice and providing one assist in three outings.
🗣 Weah to @TuttoSport:
"I wouldn't trade Osimhen for Vlahović. I have played with both. #Juventus pic.twitter.com/jUM9avOsEF
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuveEN) August 31, 2023
It now turns out Osimhen or Vlahovic could have ended up at Real Madrid, with intermediaries offering the Serie A-based attacking duo to Los Blancos. Reports this past summer even suggested that Real Madrid had an agreement to sign the Juventus striker. But those were seemingly false, as the Merengues were only interested in Kylian Mbappe.
Widespread reports heavily linked Los Blancos with the Paris Saint-Germain talisman. And rumours of a possible transfer grew when PSG banished Mbappe from the first-team picture for a few weeks. But after talks between the two parties, the water is seemingly under the bridge.
However, a Bosman move in the 2024 summer transfer window might be on the cards. So, it is hardly surprising that Real Madrid rejected Osimhen and Vlahovic, even though the former could have been an excellent long-term asset for them.
