Juventus are not stopping at the renewals of Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie. The Bianconeri have now turned their attention to securing the future of captain Manuel Locatelli, who has quietly become one of the undisputed pillars of Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Building from Certainties in a Delicate Moment
In a sensitive period for the club, coming off the heartbreak of their near‑comeback against Galatasaray and with a huge clash against Roma on the horizon, Juventus are choosing to rebuild from their strongest certainties. At the moment, those certainties have clear names: McKennie, Yildiz, Spalletti – and inevitably Locatelli.
The midfielder left the pitch to a standing ovation after another tireless performance against the Turkish side, once again combining heart, intelligence and work rate in the centre of the pitch. For Juventus, starting from figures like him is essential not only in the immediate build‑up to Roma, but also with an eye on the club’s short‑ and medium‑term future.
With this in mind, Tuttosport report that the club are already working on a contract extension for Locatelli, with the aim of tying him down further and confirming his status as a central figure in the project.
Spalletti’s Irreplaceable Midfield Leader
Since his arrival, Spalletti has reshaped Juventus in several ways, giving the team a clearer identity and structure. He has done so by re‑evaluating the squad at his disposal: reviving players who had slipped down the pecking order, such as Filip Kostic and especially McKennie, while settling others into more consistent roles.
Locatelli has emerged from this process as virtually irreplaceable. It is not just a question of personality, though his leadership on the pitch is obvious. Under Spalletti, the captain has started every game, becoming the reference point in midfield both in and out of possession.
Crucially, he has also delivered in decisive moments. His key goals – including those against Inter and Galatasaray – have underlined his growing influence, while his composure and character have provided a foundation for the rest of the squad during difficult spells. For Spalletti, Locatelli is not merely another senior player, but a cornerstone around which a winning mentality can be built.
First Talks Underway
The first conversations over a new deal for Locatelli, whose current contract runs until 2028, have already taken place and the early signs are positive. His position within the club’s project remains extremely strong: he is viewed as a player who must form the base of a team capable of winning, and one that does not crumble at the first sign of difficulty, as has happened too often in recent years.
Locatelli himself has reiterated his desire to stay at Juventus, a factor that greatly simplifies negotiations. With both parties aligned in terms of ambition and vision, the initial exchanges have laid promising groundwork for a formal agreement.
The Numbers Behind the Renewal
At present, Locatelli earns around 3 million euros net per season. Any renewal will naturally have to take into account Juventus’s broader economic reconstruction, making the financial aspect a crucial part of the discussion.
The framework being considered is expected to mirror, in some respects, the operation that led to McKennie’s extension. The new agreement would likely run until 2030, with Locatelli’s salary rising to around 4 million euros per year. This would reflect his status as captain and key figure in the dressing room, while still fitting within the club’s strategy of careful financial management.
Yildiz’s renewal was the first key point on Juventus’s list, followed by finalising McKennie’s new deal and moving towards an agreement with Spalletti. It would be no surprise if Locatelli – the captain and heartbeat of this team – becomes the next immediate step in a clear plan to secure the core of the Juventus of tomorrow.
