Dusan Vlahovic has made it clear: he won’t leave Juventus unless he’s paid €10 million in compensation. It’s not a performance clause. It’s not a bonus. It’s a flat-out demand to end a contract that still runs until 2026. Juventus no longer sees him as part of the plan, but he has no intention of walking out for free.
This standoff isn’t just about one player. It’s another chapter in a series of missteps that have exposed a deeper problem at the club. Juventus, once praised for its ironclad structure, now seems to lurch from one chaotic decision to the next. Poor signings, disjointed squad management, and a string of half-measures have left the team out of sync with the badge it represents.
The situation, reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and backed by multiple Italian outlets, paints a picture of internal tension. For Juve, €10 million is a high price at a time when the club is desperate to cut costs and rebuild smart. But for Vlahovic, it’s a matter of principle. Leaving without compensation would feel like being tossed aside.
The breakdown came from within
When Vlahovic arrived in January 2022, he was the star signing. Juventus took him from Fiorentina with the idea that he’d lead the line for years. The contract ran through the 2025–26 season, and expectations were sky-high. But two turbulent years followed, a shaky team, inconsistent form, coaching changes, and the narrative changed.
Now, under Igor Tudor, Vlahovic isn’t in the picture. Despite scoring 58 goals in 154 appearances, he's on the sidelines. Juve has floated him in the market. AC Milan, Inter and Manchester United have all monitored the situation. But no club has stepped forward with an offer that matches Juve’s asking price, which sits between €25 and €30 million.
It’s a strange position. That figure is too high for someone who's clearly no longer central to the project, yet too low considering his age, numbers and potential. As the transfer window drags on, Juventus is pushing for a release deal instead. Vlahovic, though, is standing his ground.
Risk of the bench, risk of the fallout
If no deal is reached, the scenario could get awkward. Vlahovic may end up training apart from the group or warming the bench indefinitely. He’s a high-wage player who could become a ghost in the squad — expensive, unused and still under contract. Juventus wouldn’t just lose money. It would lose control of the narrative and add friction to an already unsteady locker room.
From the player’s side, there are risks too. Staying inactive in a long season could dent his form, fitness and market value. But if leaving means forfeiting everything, he’s willing to stay. That alone says plenty about how he feels treated by the club.
This isn’t the first time Juventus finds itself caught in this kind of situation. And if nothing changes, it probably won’t be the last.