Dusan Vlahovic is poised to depart Juventus after negotiations regarding a contract extension reached an impasse, according to reports in Italy. Talks between the club and the player’s representatives, led by his father Milos, failed to yield a breakthrough, with neither party willing to compromise on their demands.
Vlahovic joined Juventus in January 2022 for a fee of approximately €90 million including bonuses, quickly becoming a key figure in the attack. He reportedly had a strong emotional connection to the club, even using a photo of himself with Pavel Nedved, then a Juventus director, as his phone wallpaper as a reminder of his arrival. However, the recent negotiations were markedly different from his initial welcome.
The breakdown in talks stemmed from disagreements over the length and terms of a new contract. Vlahovic was reportedly open to signing a two-year extension, but only if he remained a central part of the team’s future plans. He felt the club did not sufficiently value his contributions, particularly after supporting the team from the sidelines during a lengthy injury spell. He reportedly felt betrayed, believing he was not treated as a captain or a key leader within the squad.
Juventus, meanwhile, were hesitant to meet the financial demands of Vlahovic and his entourage. The club has struggled to consistently find a reliable goalscorer beyond Vlahovic, with only he reaching double figures in Serie A last season. This fact was used by his representatives to justify maintaining their high demands, but Juventus ultimately refused to increase their offer. The club’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, reportedly had limited communication with Vlahovic’s camp, further complicating the process.
Vlahovic has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Napoli. While these clubs expressed interest, concrete offers did not materialize. The player informed teammates of his departure via WhatsApp, and will release a message to Juventus fans upon the official confirmation of his transfer. His exit leaves Juventus with only one recognised senior striker, Arkadiusz Milik, highlighting the need for further recruitment in the attacking department.
