Juventus Director Comolli: Vlahovic Contract Talks on Hold Until Summer

Juventus sporting director Damien Comolli has confirmed that contract talks with star striker Dusan Vlahovic will not be concluded until the end of the season. The 24-year-old Serbian international's current deal expires in June 2025, and while discussions have been held, no agreement has been reached. Comolli stated that the club's director of football, Marco Ottolini, has held initial talks with the player's representatives, but no resolution is expected imminently.

Comolli, speaking in Pinerolo at a Juventus One event, was definitive about the timeline. "I know that our sporting director, Marco Ottolini, has had some chats with Dusan, but you should not expect anything before the end of the season," the Bianconeri executive said. The club's immediate focus is on securing a top-four finish in Serie A and securing a place in the UEFA Champions League for the 2024/25 season.

The context of the season is crucial to the timing. Juventus, currently in a fierce battle for a top-four finish, are prioritizing the final six 'cup finals' of the Serie A campaign. Comolli expressed confidence in the team's direction under manager Luciano Spalletti, whose contract was recently extended. The sporting director revealed that since Spalletti's arrival in late October, Juventus would be second in a league table calculated from his first match in charge, having amassed 48 points from 24 games.

Vlahovic, who has been in prolific form this season, is a central figure in Juventus's project. The 24-year-old has been a key contributor to the club's push for Champions League qualification. Comolli emphasized the club's ambition in the upcoming transfer market, regardless of the final league position. "Our transfer market will be ambitious," Comolli stated, adding that while Champions League qualification is a significant financial and sporting boost, the club's project remains attractive to top players regardless of European competition.

The contract situation with Vlahovic is the most pressing piece of business, but it is not the only one. Comolli confirmed that the club has already secured the futures of Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie with new deals, indicating a policy of securing their core assets. The club's strategy appears to be one of building a stable, competitive squad under Spalletti's leadership, with Vlahovic's long-term future a key pillar of that plan. The coming weeks will be decisive, both on the pitch for Champions League qualification and off it, as the club aims to secure its star striker's signature on a new long-term contract.