Giovanni Carnevali’s arrival as Juventus’s new chief executive marks far more than a simple change of face at the top. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, his first and most pressing task will be navigating the club’s delicate financial position — and that means sales must come before any major signings can be completed.
A Career Built on Selling Well
Carnevali made his name at Sassuolo over more than a decade in charge, transforming the Emilian club into one of Italian football’s most respected models — both for results and financial sustainability. His record of selling players for significant profit, including high-value departures such as Gianluca Scamacca, Manuel Locatelli, Giacomo Raspadori, and Davide Frattesi, is precisely the kind of expertise John Elkann believes Juventus now need.
Turin, however, will be a very different challenge. Several recent signings — Lois Openda, Teun Koopmeiners, Michele Di Gregorio, and Jonathan David among them — have underperformed significantly relative to their cost. Finding buyers for these players without accepting heavy losses represents Carnevali’s first major test in the role.
The Outgoing List Takes Shape
Reports suggest the list of potential departures is extensive, including Di Gregorio, Gleison Bremer (whose €58 million release clause becomes active in July), Andrea Cambiaso, Juan Cabal, Fabio Miretti, Vasilije Adžić, Koopmeiners, and Openda. Clearing space — and raising funds — on this scale will be essential if Juventus are to deliver Spalletti the signings he has requested.
Incoming Targets Remain Largely Unchanged — For Now
Despite the upheaval, Spalletti’s core requirements remain the same: a new first-choice goalkeeper, a ball-playing central defender, and attacking reinforcements. Dibu Martínez of Aston Villa remains the leading candidate in goal, with negotiations continuing to find an agreement that minimises the compensation owed. In defence, Jhon Lucumí of Bologna remains of interest, though Tarik Muharemović could re-enter the picture given Carnevali’s longstanding relationship with Sassuolo. Up front, Alexander Sorloth remains the priority, alongside continued interest in Randal Kolo Muani.
Vlahović: The Unexpected Subplot
Perhaps the most eye-catching development concerns Dušan Vlahović. His departure had seemed all but certain, driven by a financial gap between the two parties and a relationship with Comolli that never developed. With Carnevali now in place — and Spalletti firmly behind keeping the Serbian striker as part of his plans — that conversation may be reopening, even if a resolution remains far from straightforward.
A Club Still Counting the Cost of Instability
The scale of the challenge facing Carnevali is underlined by the club’s recent financial history. Juventus posted losses of €254.3 million in 2021/22, followed by €199.2 million in 2023/24 — though the most recent accounts, for 2024/25, showed a significant improvement to a €58 million loss, helped by rising revenues from European competition. Six years, four chief executives, and tens of millions spent on executive salaries alone — Carnevali’s task is to finally bring some stability to a club that has had precious little of it in recent seasons.
What Happens Next
Juventus are expected to share full details of all ongoing negotiations — those already initiated by outgoing sporting director Marco Ottolini and shared with Spalletti — on Monday 15 June. From there, Carnevali’s revised approach, with its renewed focus on smart sales and Italian football relationships, will begin to take shape in earnest. For a club that has spent six years searching for stability at the top, the hope is that this appointment finally provides it.
