The protracted standoff between Juventus and their Serbian striker, Dusan Vlahovic, has escalated into a situation sharply criticized by seasoned observers. According to Guido Vaciago, the director of the prominent Italian sports daily Tuttosport, the handling of this entire affair has been nothing short of disastrous, or as he somewhat wryly puts it, “vaguely demential.”
Vaciago argues that the roots of the current deadlock are firmly planted in events from the previous year. What began as an apparent attempt to revitalise the player`s form and standing reportedly morphed into a plan to marginalise him, particularly from January onwards. This strategy, seemingly aimed at positioning him as a permanent bench player, achieved a rather counter-intuitive dual effect:
- Vlahovic`s market appeal significantly diminished.
- His relationship with the club, which was already far from idyllic, deteriorated further.
The predictable outcome of this strained dynamic is the current impasse – a “cementification of the wall against wall,” as described by Vaciago, that effectively paralyses Juventus and casts a considerable shadow over the striker`s future career prospects.
A Risky Poker Game
The situation has now calcified into what can only be described as a game of high-stakes poker. Both the club and the player are taking significant risks, engaging in a tense match played on the very edge of bluffing. As of now, Vlahovic appears to hold the stronger hand. His undeniable ace is a lucrative contract guaranteeing him a net salary of €12.5 million per season until June 2026. On paper, this single card could be enough to secure him the entire pot.
However, this position of strength is precarious. Vaciago highlights the potential consequences for Vlahovic after September 1st. Juventus could theoretically choose to sideline him, relegating him to the margins of the squad. Such a move would not only jeopardise his place in the Serbia national team (and potential participation in major international fixtures) but, crucially, would further devalue him. Following two seasons that have not been statistically brilliant, another period of inaction would severely limit his chances of securing another high-value contract in the future.
Seeking Damage Control
From Juventus`s perspective, the financial implications of the current situation are stark. Retaining Vlahovic involves an annual expenditure of approximately €43 million, comprising his €24 million gross salary and around €19 million in amortisation costs for his transfer fee.
Vaciago suggests a potential path, albeit an unglamorous one, for damage containment. Selling Vlahovic to another club – for instance, the speculated move to Milan – even for a reduced transfer fee (say, €25 million) could be combined with a severance package for the player (perhaps around €10 million gross) to compensate him for accepting a lower wage elsewhere. While certainly not a cause for triumph, this scenario would result in a small capital gain on the transfer fee itself and a significantly lower overall expenditure compared to the cost of keeping him for the duration of his current contract.
An Unhappy Ending Foreshadowed
Regardless of the specific resolution, Vaciago`s overall assessment is bleak. This story, which began with understandable euphoria upon Vlahovic`s high-profile arrival in January 2022, is destined to conclude very badly. As is often the case in complex disputes involving significant finances and human dynamics, blame is not exclusive to one party; responsibility is distributed.
Yet, a consideration that, while perhaps bordering on the commonplace, stems from a genuine observation, is the sheer scale of certain figures paid relative to a player`s performance. In this context, the stark contrast between Vlahovic`s salary and his on-field output over the past two seasons stands out, presenting a spectacle that is neither pleasant nor easily justifiable to observers.