Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti is facing frustration in the transfer market, with key targets proving difficult to secure ahead of the 2026-27 season. According to reports in Italy, a move for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has fallen through, while a deal for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is becoming increasingly complicated. The future of striker Dusan Vlahovic also remains uncertain, with his contract set to expire.
Spalletti had identified Silva as a key signing, believing the Portuguese midfielder could bring leadership and quality to the team. He reportedly contacted Silva directly in an attempt to persuade him to join, but Silva reportedly favors a move to Atletico Madrid. The collapse of the Silva deal is particularly disappointing given Juventus’s unexpected relegation to the Europa League, a consequence of a disappointing end to the recent Serie A campaign.
The pursuit of Alisson is also proving challenging. The Brazilian goalkeeper reportedly expressed a strong desire to reunite with Spalletti in Turin, even without Champions League football, and a three-year contract was tentatively agreed. However, Liverpool are reportedly unwilling to release Alisson on favorable terms, seeking a fee similar to the one received for Mohamed Salah. This stance has left Spalletti frustrated and the deal in doubt.
Vlahovic’s situation adds another layer of complexity. While Spalletti has pushed for the Serbian striker’s contract renewal, Vlahovic has yet to commit, and has been linked with several top European clubs including Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Barcelona. No formal talks have taken place between Vlahovic’s representatives and Juventus’s sporting director Damien Comolli. A summit between Spalletti, Comolli, and Juventus president John Elkann is now planned to reassess the transfer strategy and identify alternative targets. Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid and Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City are being considered, with Spalletti also hoping to give Douglas Luiz, returning from a loan spell at Aston Villa, another opportunity to impress. Juventus are also evaluating potential goalkeeper alternatives including Giorgi Mamardashvili, David De Gea, and Alexander Nubel.
These setbacks represent a significant challenge for Spalletti as he attempts to rebuild the Juventus squad. The club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League has undoubtedly complicated matters, reducing their financial power and appeal to potential signings. The upcoming meeting with Elkann and Comolli will be crucial in determining the club’s direction for the remainder of the transfer window.
