Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino “will be crucial” to whether a swap deal between Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku goes ahead, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Juventus are hoping to receive €40m (£34m) and Lukaku in exchange for the Serbian international but Romano says Pochettino has yet to give the move the green light:

Romelu Lukaku and Juventus have an agreement in place over three year deal with option for further season. ⚪️⚫️🇧🇪

Juventus keep insisting on swap deal with Chelsea including €40m fee — still waiting for #CFC to decide on Dusan Vlahović.

Pochettino will be crucial. pic.twitter.com/Z7KnSVKdf2

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2023

Pochettino may have a couple of misgivings about recruiting Vlahovic. While the striker is fast, he isn’t the best technically, and there are question marks about where he would fit in.

There have also been some concerns that the 23-year-old has a chronic injury called Pubalgia that could lead him to fail a medical.

Chelsea do have options up front already

With Nicolas Jackson looking extremely impressive during pre-season, and the likes of Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku also available to him, Pochettino may feel that he doesn’t need another striker in the squad.

Vlahovic may command sizeable wages and would expect a certain level of game time if he were to agree a move to Stamford Bridge, so a lot depends on how highly Pochettino rates the Serbian.

Could Vlahovic become another Kane?

Pochettino is no stranger to developing young forwards, and he played a key role in Harry Kane’s career at Tottenham, helping him reach his potential.

Some have questioned Vlahovic’s ability after a difficult eighteen months at Juventus, but his time at Fiorentina shows there is a great player in there. It’s up to Pochettino to decide whether there is a chance to replicate the success he had with Kane.