Even with or without the Champions League, every club’s transfer strategy—Italian or European—is bound to change drastically.
This explains why, after just a few early-season matches, Juventus decided to exceed its business plan, part ways with Igor Tudor, and entrust the team to the experienced guidance of Luciano Spalletti, with talks of a contract renewal already underway, according to Calciomercato.
Advertisement
Financial Strategy and the Cost of the Juventus Squad
Securing a 4th-place finish will determine the budget available to sporting director Damien Comilli, club icons like Giorgio Chiellini, and managers Modesto and Ottolini.
Regardless of qualification, however, the club will need to execute smart outgoing transfers to satisfy Spalletti. These sales must not only generate revenue and capital gains but also reduce the club’s “squad cost” on the balance sheet.
The squad cost combines the club’s total wage expenditure with the annual amortization of player transfer fees. Currently, Juventus’ squad cost sits around €315 million.
Maintaining compliance with UEFA and FIGC rules—which require the squad cost to remain below 70% of revenue—will be critical.
Who Could Leave and Spalletti’s Wishlist
Spalletti envisions a major squad revolution, targeting at least six key signings: a reliable ball-playing goalkeeper, a left-footed center-back, two full-backs, an experienced midfielder, and a central striker.
Advertisement
Decisions on potential buyouts or extensions for Emil Holm and Jeremie Boga will also play a role.
Lois Openda, in particular, will officially trigger a mandatory purchase, making him the first on the list of potential departures, which could expand to eight players.
Openda will be virtually impossible to sell this summer. His cost jumps from €3.3 million for the loan to a total €44 million including the obligatory purchase. With a net salary of €4 million (gross €7.4 million), the annual impact rises from €10.7 million to €18.4 million. Juventus hopes to loan him out to a club covering his full salary, freeing up €18.4 million in budget space.
Edon Zhegrova and Jonathan David, both recent arrivals from Lille, also weigh heavily on the balance sheet—€2.9 million and €2.5 million in annual amortization, respectively, with total annual costs of €21.1 million including wages.
Other returning players, including Rugani, Arthur, Nico Gonzalez, and Joao Mario, must be strategically managed to reduce their combined annual impact of €34.5 million.
Additionally, Spalletti sees players like Di Gregorio, Perin, Koopmeiners, and Kostic as expendable, potentially saving €34.2 million annually.
The €110 Million Target
Juventus’ management will need to execute this plan carefully to free up the budget for Spalletti’s transfer targets. If successful, the club could save up to €110 million annually in combined wages and amortization, not including the €41 million associated with Dusan Vlahovic leaving and the increase for Kenan Yildiz from €3 million to €14 million.
Advertisement
By balancing strategic sales with targeted acquisitions, Juventus aims to rebuild a squad capable of meeting Spalletti’s ambitious vision while maintaining financial compliance, according to Calciomercato.