Dusan Vlahovic set to leave Juventus as a free agent

Dusan Vlahovic set to leave Juventus as a free agent

One of Europe's most coveted strikers is about to hit the open market without a transfer fee attached. Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbia forward whose Juventus contract runs out on 30 June 2026, is on course to walk away from Turin as a free agent after renewal talks between the two sides broke down in early June.

The collapse turns the 26-year-old into one of the most talked-about names of the summer window. With no fee required to sign him, the negotiations have shifted entirely toward salary, signing-on bonuses and the commissions demanded by his representatives.

How the renewal talks fell apart

The split came down to money. Vlahovic's camp, led by agent Darko Ristic, pushed for a deal worth roughly EUR 8 million net per season plus a sizeable package of bonuses. Juventus, through chief executive Damien Comolli, held firm at around EUR 6 million net plus performance-related bonuses.

Neither side moved far enough to bridge the gap, and by early June the project of keeping the striker beyond his contract had effectively been abandoned. Once a renewal looked impossible, Juventus had little leverage left: a player in the final weeks of his deal is free to negotiate with whoever he chooses, and Vlahovic's entourage made clear they intended to explore the market.

The clubs circling

Reports from Fabrizio Romano and several Italian outlets place a string of major clubs in contact with Vlahovic's representatives. Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Barcelona have all reached out, and because there is no transfer fee in play, the conversations centre on signing-on fees and agent commissions rather than a price between clubs.

By late June the picture had shifted again. Tuttomercato reported that the strongest concrete interest was coming from Saudi Arabia, where clubs have the financial muscle to absorb the kind of wages and bonuses Vlahovic's side is seeking. AC Milan and Napoli have also been linked, keeping at least part of the saga inside Serie A.

None of this is settled. Every destination remains at the reported or exploratory stage, and no agreement has been confirmed. For now the only certainty is that Vlahovic will leave Juventus when his contract lapses at the end of June.

The commission question

One factor threatens to complicate any move. Reports claim that Vlahovic's father has requested a commission of around EUR 30 million plus a signing bonus to facilitate a transfer. Demands on that scale narrow the field considerably, since only a handful of clubs can stomach both a free agent's wages and an outlay of that size on commissions and fees.

That helps explain why Saudi clubs have emerged as the most aggressive suitors, and why some European sides that made early contact may struggle to follow through. The structure of these free-agent deals often hinges on exactly these off-pitch numbers rather than on the player's footballing fit.

What Juventus and Serbia lose

On the pitch, Vlahovic is a serious loss. At 26 he is entering what should be the strongest years of his career, and he is widely regarded as one of the most physical centre-forwards in Europe. His blend of strength, aerial presence and finishing made him a focal point of Juventus's attack and a player few defences enjoy facing.

He is also a key forward for his country. Serbia have leaned on Vlahovic through a difficult cycle, and his form will matter as the national team looks to recover after a chastening period. You can read more in our recap of Serbia's men's football year, including the World Cup miss and the Nations League campaign.

The next coaching staff will be picking forwards with one eye on Vlahovic's club situation, since match sharpness and a settled environment feed directly into national-team performance. Our look at the 18-man roster named for the World Cup 2027 qualifiers shows how central the striker department has become to Serbia's plans.

What happens next

The timeline is tight. Once 1 July arrives, Vlahovic is formally a free agent and able to complete a move on his own terms. Whether that means a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia, a stay in Serie A with Milan or Napoli, or a late push from one of the Premier League or European clubs that made contact, the decision now rests largely on the financial package and the commissions that have hung over the talks from the start.

Vlahovic's departure is one of several big stories reshaping Serbian football this year, alongside high-profile moves such as the record transfer linking Crvena Zvezda and Inter Milan. For a striker of his profile to reach the market for free is a rare event, and the resolution will shape both his career and Serbia's attacking options for years to come.