The Serb striker, coming off a disappointing performance at the Club World Cup, aims to leave on a free transfer in 2026, but this strategy puts him at risk of not playing. A solution is being sought for the dispute with Juventus.
Dusan Vlahovic`s Club World Cup campaign was a failure, marked by limited minutes and two goals, but more significantly, it stirred controversy due to cryptic social media posts that have further alienated him from Juventus. His future remains uncertain: his desire to depart on a free transfer in 2026 conflicts with Juve`s need to sell him to make room for new attackers. The atmosphere around him is increasingly tense, with a significant portion of the fanbase viewing him as ungrateful and eager for his departure.
The Vlahovic Case at Juventus: The Situation
The incident involving a “like” on Jude Bellingham`s post after Real Madrid`s victory over Juventus, while perhaps unintentional, did not go unnoticed and demonstrated a lack of judgment from the player, further irritating the club environment. Vlahovic responded on his social media profiles by posting photos of himself in a Juventus shirt with the number nine, perhaps to reaffirm his position as the team`s primary striker. Juventus, however, is sending clear messages through the transfer market: David is expected to arrive, and the dream of signing Osimhen is still alive, indicating that there is no longer space for Vlahovic and pushing him towards an exit.
A mediation attempt is anticipated in an upcoming meeting between the new Director General Damien Comolli and the player`s agent, Darko Ristic. Vlahovic has rejected offers, such as the substantial one from José Mourinho`s Fenerbahçe, because he does not consider the Turkish league to be at his level. He remains convinced that the optimal strategy is to wait for his contract to expire to secure a higher salary at a top European club, and he is willing to take the risk of being excluded from the squad. However, he believes Juventus will ultimately not bench him because paying his significant gross salary (12 million euros) without utilizing him would be a considerable financial burden.
Juventus hopes Vlahovic will recognize the reality of the situation, similar to Federico Chiesa`s decision last summer, and agree to a transfer to avoid jeopardizing his career. Spending a full season as a spectator would not only risk his place in the national team (with the 2026 World Cup approaching) but also complicate his ambitious future plans. Whether this develops into a full-blown standoff will soon become clear.
