Report Highlights Salary Disparity Between Juventus and Milan
A detailed financial report has revealed a stark gap in wage expenditure between Serie A rivals Juventus and AC Milan ahead of their upcoming fixture. According to the analysis, Juventus's projected starting lineup carries an annual wage bill approximately 20 million euros higher than that of their Milan counterparts, with striker Dusan Vlahovic alone earning nearly half of the total for Milan's likely starters. The figures, which detail gross annual salaries, underscore the differing financial philosophies of the two clubs.
The report, published ahead of the teams' meeting at San Siro, indicates that Vlahovic's earnings for the current season reach 22.2 million euros gross, a figure inflated by a loyalty bonus agreed at signing. In contrast, the highest earners in Milan's anticipated lineup are Rafael Leao and Mike Maignan, each on gross wages of approximately 7.15 million euros when factoring in Italy's tax relief scheme for foreign workers. Christian Pulisic follows at 5.2 million euros gross.
For Juventus, the next highest salaries among probable starters belong to Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David, both at 11.1 million euros gross. Yildiz recently signed a new contract setting a new wage ceiling at the club, while David, a more recent arrival, is still working to justify his significant cost. Other notable Juventus earners include Bremer (9.25 million), Francisco Conceicao (7.03 million), Manuel Locatelli (6.48 million), and Weston McKennie (5.24 million). The report also notes dissatisfaction with the high cost of underperforming reserves, such as Loïs Openda (7.4 million) and Teun Koopmeiners (5.9 million).
The financial structure at Milan has been a sensitive topic under the successive ownerships of Elliott Management and RedBird Capital, with a stated focus on sustainability. While no official hard salary cap exists, the report suggests a rough net salary threshold has risen from around 4 million euros under Elliott to approximately 7 million under current management. The club's highest earner among substitutes is Christopher Nkunku, whose gross salary is reported at 9.2 million euros, followed by Ruben Loftus-Cheek (5.2 million).
The disparity highlights Juventus's continued willingness to shoulder a heavier financial burden in pursuit of success, though the report suggests recent high-wage signings have not always delivered the expected technical returns, contributing to the club's ongoing financial deficit. For Milan, the data reflects a more conservative model aimed at balancing competitive ambition with fiscal responsibility. The immediate sporting implications see a heavily-invested Juventus, currently in a battle for a top-four finish, facing a Milan side constructed with a more measured approach to player compensation.
