According to reports, Dušan Vlahović could return to Juventus after allowing his contract with the club to expire in July. We’re now approaching August and he is still without a club. That says everything. Europe’s elite simply did not want him. There may well be interest from less demanding leagues, but at the highest level of European football, nothing has materialised.
Juventus were right not to renew his contract. His wages were far too high for what he offers, and this past month has made that obvious. None of the continent’s top clubs were prepared to take him on under those terms. Juventus, like almost every Italian club apart from Inter and Como, are in the middle of a rebuild, and keeping an expensive player who does not make the difference simply made no sense. Let’s be honest: Vlahović is not a top-level striker for the standard Juventus are aiming to reach.
Now the possibility of a return has emerged, but on significantly lower wages. And this is where negotiations have stalled. His father, who is also his agent, is still demanding far more than Juventus are willing to pay. Negotiating is perfectly normal, but there also needs to be a realistic understanding of the player’s current market value, and that value is nowhere near what they believe it is.
If he does return, he cannot be the focal point of the attack. He is not a reliable number nine to lead a side that wants to compete for major trophies. His numbers are respectable enough, but his overall game is not, and it simply does not justify the investment. As a squad option on reduced wages, you could make a case for it. But does that really make sense for him? Probably not.
The best outcome for Juventus would be to close this chapter once and for all.
Conclusion
Juventus are considering bringing Vlahović back on lower terms, but the negotiations remain at a standstill. The reality is simple: his level no longer matches the elite standard Juventus are trying to return to.