Juventus are among a growing number of clubs facing significant financial losses on player transfers, with Dusan Vlahovic’s move from Fiorentina representing a particularly stark example. The club paid €83.5 million for the Serbian forward in January 2022, but he departed without generating a transfer fee this summer.
This situation highlights a broader trend in modern football where escalating transfer fees are not always matched by corresponding returns when players are eventually sold. Juventus have been repeatedly affected by this, with the Vlahovic deal being the latest in a series of high-profile investments that have failed to yield substantial profit.
Vlahovic’s time in Turin was marked by inconsistent performances, occasional injury setbacks, and ultimately, a breakdown in contract negotiations. Despite winning a Coppa Italia, his overall impact failed to justify the substantial outlay. He arrived with high expectations, given his age and prior form at Fiorentina, but left as a ‘what if’ scenario for the Bianconeri.
However, Vlahovic’s case is not an isolated one for Juventus. The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, costing €117 million, also resulted in a significant loss when he returned to Manchester United three years later for approximately €17 million – a difference of €100 million. While Ronaldo delivered goals and domestic trophies, the Champions League success the club craved never materialized.
Gonzalo Higuain’s €90 million move from Napoli also proved to be financially unsuccessful, ending with a transfer to Inter Miami on a free transfer. Even the departure of club legend Gianluigi Buffon did not generate a fee, though his legendary status mitigated the financial impact. Other examples include Paulo Dybala, Federico Bernardeschi, and Douglas Costa, all representing significant financial losses for the club.
Beyond Juventus, other European clubs have also experienced similar issues. Lazio’s purchase of Gaizka Mendieta for €48 million proved to be a costly failure, while Paris Saint-Germain’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappé for €180 million resulted in no transfer fee when he moved to Real Madrid. High-profile flops at Real Madrid, such as Eden Hazard, and Manchester United with Paul Pogba, further illustrate this trend. The increasing financial risks associated with player transfers are becoming a major concern for clubs across Europe.
