Barcelona and Real Madrid both turn down same £66 million player offered on a free transfer

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both turned down the same player offered on a free transfer, reports claim.

The pair of La Liga giants are both looking to strengthen their respective squads and appear to be rivalling one another for Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Julian Alvarez.

Real claim to have tabled a club-record £130 million bid for Alvarez, though Atletico mocked the proposal in a statement where they said they are "neither considering nor evaluating any offers for Julian.”

However, fresh reports state that Barca, Real and Atletico were all offered a different striker in recent hours but the trio of clubs have all said no.

Dusan Vlahovic is available on a free transfer this summer after leaving Juventus, where he scored 68 goals in 168 games.

The Serbian was unable to agree a new contract after talks broke down and his deal was allowed to run down.

Vlahovic is a free agent this summer. Image: Getty

According to Matteo Moretto, who works with Fabrizio Romano, neither Barca, Real and Atleti were interested as they were put off by Vlahovic's salary demands.

Still only 26, Vlahovic joined Juve from Fiorentina in a £66 million switch back in January 2022 and scored the goal that won them the Coppa Italia in 2024.

He can be acquired without a transfer fee this summer but his wages do appear to be a stumbling block.

Barcelona and Real Madrid free transfer rejection opens up Premier League possibility

Given his prolific record, Vlahovic is bound to have plenty of potential suitors this summer - even after La Liga's big guns said no to him.

And a Premier League switch could well be on the cards according to recent reports.

Tutto Juve say that Chelsea are the "most likely" club to sign Vlahovic following the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager.

Chelsea are well-stocked for strikers with Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and even the returning Nicolas Jackson after his loan with Bayern Munich.

But Vlahovic, who scored four in his final four games in Serie A, could be an attractive option.

In addition, Gazzetta dello Sport say that Newcastle are interested in Vlahovic and indicated that he and his agent have "listened to a proposal" from the Magpies.

Newcastle are in need of fresh attacking talent following the departure of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, coupled with signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa struggling to replace the goals from Alexander Isak last season.

Speaking on his departure, Juve sporting director and former defender Giorgio Chiellini said: "With these figures, he won’t remain in Italy, so it is only fair and legitimate that he is seeking a different type of salary.”