Dusan Vlahovic to stay for next season

Juventus and Dusan Vlahovic appear locked in an uncomfortable standoff, as the striker rejects all offers to leave the club. According to Fabiana Della Valle of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vlahovic insists on honoring the final year of his contract, which guarantees him a hefty 12 million euros in salary.

This high wage has deterred potential buyers, leaving Juventus in a difficult position. If Vlahovic remains, the club will need to generate funds by selling other players.

The Serbian striker recently played less than 30 minutes in a friendly against Borussia Dortmund. Unlike his usual social media activity, this time he posted nothing — no photos, no stories, and no posts featuring his iconic number 9.

Dusan Vlahovic 📸

On the pitch, however, his performance sparked frustration among fans. Some were annoyed by a few misplaced passes, but more so by a poor shot late in the game that sailed far from the goal. This episode seemed to symbolize a relationship that is already fractured.

Dusan Vlahovic spoke about his contract

Vlahovic has reportedly told the club, “I’m staying until my contract ends.” Despite this clear message, Juventus has relegated him to a secondary role.

Coach Igor Tudor now sees him as a backup option, and with the expected permanent signing of Randal Kolo Muani, Vlahovic may even drop to third choice. The club’s message is clear: “You are no longer part of the project.”

They have communicated this through his agent and tried to push him out with the arrival of Jonathan David—who, while not wearing the number 9 shirt, is effectively the team’s new main striker.

Yet, Vlahovic refuses to budge. He is prepared to spend more time on the bench than on the field. He risks alienating the Juventus fanbase, which once welcomed him as a hero just over three years ago but has since grown frustrated with his attitude.

Dusan Vlahovic 📸

His stubbornness could also jeopardize his place in the national team during a critical World Cup year. This tense standoff benefits no one and has effectively frozen Juventus’s summer transfer plans.

The club must sell players before it can invest in new talent. As a result, Juventus is slowly coming to terms with the possibility of keeping Vlahovic for the upcoming season and focusing on raising money through other sales.

Few offers, many obstacles: The market stalemate

The situation is a far cry from just months ago, when Vlahovic professed loyalty to Juventus. In a December 2023 interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he spoke of happiness at the club and ongoing talks to extend his contract.

At the time, Massimiliano Allegri was still the coach, and his recent return to AC Milan complicates matters, as Allegri reportedly still has interest in the striker.

Dusan Vlahovic 📸

Vlahovic has turned down offers from clubs such as Fenerbahce, coached by Mourinho, as well as teams from Saudi Arabia and other leagues. While significant bids haven’t materialized, the few offers on the table were deemed insufficient.

Juventus, on the other hand, proposed a contract extension but with reduced terms. Vlahovic refuses to compromise on his salary, unwilling to give up the 12 million euros net he is due in the 2025-26 season.

This contract, negotiated in January 2022 under former CEO Maurizio Arrivabene, has become a major obstacle. Twelve million euros per year is a sum Juventus can no longer afford, nor can most other clubs, especially considering Vlahovic’s underwhelming recent performances.

Vlahovic fate!

Even Milan is unlikely to meet his salary demands, despite Allegri’s interest. Juventus faces a tough decision: without a suitable offer—likely no less than 20 million euros, roughly the player’s book value—they will keep Vlahovic.

Dusan Vlahovic 📸

But for him, this will mean a challenging season with limited playing time and growing tension. Meanwhile, Juventus must seek alternative ways to balance the books. Players like Miretti, Savona, Douglas Luiz, Nico Gonzalez, and Kelly could be sold to raise funds.

However, nothing concrete has happened yet, keeping the club’s transfer plans on hold. Fabiana Della Valle’s reporting for La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights a complex saga unfolding at Juventus.

The standoff between club and player not only affects Vlahovic’s career but also weighs heavily on the club’s future ambitions. For now, Juventus is caught between financial reality and sporting necessity, trying to navigate a difficult summer transfer window.

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