Juventus delay Vlahovic contract decision until end of season

Juventus have postponed all discussions regarding a new contract for striker Dusan Vlahovic until the conclusion of the current campaign, according to the club's hierarchy. Chief executive Damien Comolli confirmed the stance, aligning with sporting director Marco Ottolini's earlier comments, stating that talks will only be held after the season ends in approximately six weeks. The decision comes as the Serbian forward continues his recovery from a soleus muscle injury sustained during warm-up ahead of the match against Genoa.

Vlahovic has been working diligently at the club's Continassa training complex, even on scheduled days off, aiming to return to availability for the fixture against Verona. His relationship with manager Luciano Spalletti, who immediately placed him at the centre of the project, is understood to have been a key factor in the player's recent willingness to commit his future to the club. This represented a significant shift in his stance, convincing him to remain in what is considered his comfort zone.

However, the club is now awaiting positive physical signals from the 26-year-old in the coming weeks following this latest unexpected setback after a previous injury. Behind the scenes, informal contacts are expected to continue with the player's father and representative, Milos, to lay the groundwork for formal negotiations. The proposed new deal would be short-term, likely for one or two years, and on significantly reduced financial terms compared to his existing agreement.

Vlahovic currently earns a reported 12 million euros per season, and Juventus are seeking to reduce that figure by more than half, also lowering associated agent fees and signing-on bonuses. From the club's perspective, retaining Vlahovic remains an appealing option, especially as other attacking players like Moise Kean and Lois Openda have reportedly performed below expectations, necessitating a major overhaul of the forward line. Acquiring a new striker on the transfer market, beyond one already planned, would represent a far greater cost than renewing the Serbian's contract on revised terms.

For now, the focus for both parties is squarely on Vlahovic's fitness and his contributions on the pitch in the final weeks of the season. His form upon return could significantly influence the tone and outcome of the postponed negotiations. The situation underscores a pragmatic approach from Juventus, tying the player's long-term future directly to his immediate performance and durability, while offering Vlahovic a clear runway to prove his worth ahead of any commitment.