Dusan Vlahovic refuses to be sold and declines a lower salary deal; his €12 million wage is a significant burden. This stalemate halts negotiations for Jonathan David.
Time is said to heal all wounds, but sometimes it just complicates things further. Three and a half years have passed since Dusan Vlahovic made his expensive arrival at Juventus. Welcomed as a hero, he was chosen as the symbol of Juventus`s future. Now, little remains of that poetic sentimentality. The 25-year-old Serbian forward, with a lavish salary and a season finale marked by more shadows than light, is unwilling to yield. His initial plan, conceived a year ago, was to stay until his contract expires in 2026 to leave for free and secure a similar salary elsewhere. He hasn`t changed his mind.
Unyielding
The relationship between Vlahovic and the club is strained, with no sign of reconciliation. The former darling of the Old Lady risks becoming the villain hindering the new ambitious plans. Those who have seen and spoken with him recently describe him as moody and nervous (visible in the match against City) but completely unyielding. He has confided in friends that he intends to stay this summer, whatever the cost. He has already rejected the idea of joining Fenerbahce, despite José Mourinho`s keen interest, and no other alternatives currently appeal to him.
Top Salary, Flop Performance
It`s unsurprising given his performance since January. Vlahovic was benched first by Thiago Motta, who immediately preferred Kolo Muani, and then again by Igor Tudor, despite initially restoring him to the attack`s center. His overall goal record (58 goals in 145 games for Juventus, averaging one goal every 2.5 matches) isn`t satisfactory for a €70 million investment (plus €10 million in bonuses) and considering what he showed at Fiorentina. Both Vlahovic and Juventus are prisoners of a `crazy` contract (€7.5 million rising to €12 million in 2025-26) signed by the previous Arrivabene management. A player with such significant financial demands is very difficult to sell, particularly after underwhelming seasons.
Risk of Being Sidelined
Perhaps Juventus should have considered this sooner, trying to reach an agreement with his agent, Darko Ristic, to avoid losing him for free. The anticipated meeting between Damien Comolli and his agent hasn`t happened yet, and if these are the preconditions, convincing him to leave or renew for less won`t be easy. If Dusan remains stubborn, Juventus won`t be able to do much, apart from potentially trying to push him out by benching him, similar to the `Chiesa method`. After the loss against City, Vlahovic posted three photos of himself on the field with the brief caption: `nueve`. Perhaps this was a message to the club, a way of reaffirming that he is the number 9.
Focus Shifts to David
It`s no secret that Juventus is already looking for a forward to replace the Serbian, and negotiations with Jonathan David are well underway. The Canadian striker, available on a free transfer from Lille, could arrive just as Dusan wants to leave. Only the final details remain for the player`s agreement. David, born in the same year as Vlahovic (2000), scored an impressive 25 goals last season. Comolli hopes to finalize the deal before the Champions League match against Real Madrid. However, Vlahovic not being sold could become a problem. Although David would arrive without a transfer fee, his top salary (€6 million plus bonuses) would add to Dusan`s wage bill. This would naturally complicate the potential retention of Randal Kolo Muani, whom Juventus hoped to keep on loan with an option to buy in 2026. Three such high salaries would be difficult to sustain for a club aiming to control costs. Meanwhile, Vlahovic resists: he is not in a hurry, but Juventus is.
