The ticking clock of June 30, 2026, is forcing a massive shift in Juventus’s front office as the club desperately tries to secure the futures of manager Luciano Spalletti and star striker Dusan Vlahovic. The underlying crisis is financial; Juventus simply cannot afford to lose a multi-million euro asset like Vlahovic on a free transfer, accelerating the urgency of these negotiations as the season nears its end.
Sporting Director Marco Ottolini confirmed the ongoing discussions ahead of the club’s Serie A clash against Genoa, stating publicly that “Italian football needs vision and patience.” The focus in Turin is sharply divided between the “final sprint” of the current campaign and locking down the structural foundation of the squad before Europe’s elite clubs can swoop in.
🚨🗣️ Marco Ottolini: "We’ve resumed contract renewal talks with Dusan Vlahovic and discussions are ongoing." pic.twitter.com/OmL3rLuxRM
— Forza Juve. (@TheFJEN) April 6, 2026
The Serbian striker, whose current deal expires at the end of next season, recently returned to the matchday squad following an extended injury layoff. Both he and Arek Milik have been fit enough for bench appearances over the past two weeks after spending months on the treatment table. However, while Ottolini’s public stance remains optimistic, the financial realities behind the scenes are incredibly complex.
According to unconfirmed reports, a noticeable financial gap remains between the Juventus board and Vlahovic’s camp. The striker is reportedly pushing for a €10 million salary, while his representatives are demanding substantial commissions up to €15 million. This financial standoff is occurring exactly as Spalletti, who has built a successful system reliant on a traditional No. 9, is also engaged in his own renewal talks and demanding clarity on the squad’s attacking depth, according to detailed coverage of the negotiations.
The Free Transfer Threat: Inter Milan and Bayern Munich Circle
The macro implication of this standoff extends far beyond Turin. The refusal to compromise financially threatens to unleash a massive bidding war across Europe. If Juventus fails to secure an extension before the summer window closes, Vlahovic’s value will plummet as he enters the final year of his deal, making him a prime target for a pre-contract agreement in January 2027.
Inter Milan is already actively monitoring the situation, viewing the Serbian as a potential high-profile free transfer to pair alongside Lautaro Martinez, a move that would fundamentally shift the balance of power in Serie A. Furthermore, foreign heavyweights like Bayern Munich and Barcelona are watching closely. The financial gap isn’t just a contract dispute; it’s a structural threat to Juventus’s long-term dominance if they are forced to sell their premier attacking asset at a significantly reduced price to avoid losing him for nothing.