The dramatic boardroom revolution at Juventus, which saw Damien Comolli depart and Giovanni Carnevali arrive as the club’s new chief executive, could have significant knock-on effects for one of the squad’s most discussed figures: Dušan Vlahović. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the door to a renewed contract conversation with the Serbian striker may now be reopening.
Why the Vlahović Situation Had Stalled
For months, Vlahović’s renewal had appeared destined to collapse. The combination of a significant financial gap between the two parties and a relationship with Comolli that never truly developed had led the Serbian striker to reject the idea of extending his contract on terms below his expectations, banking on the possibility of exploring other options as his deal approached its expiry.
Carnevali and Spalletti: A Shift in Direction
The change at the top, however, appears to have altered the calculus considerably. With Carnevali’s arrival and the backing of Spalletti — who regards the Serbian striker as central to his project — dialogue between the parties could reopen, even if the negotiation itself remains complex.
The data-driven approach that characterised Comolli’s brief tenure appears to be giving way to something more traditional. According to Gazzetta, the data-and-algorithm-based revolution failed to produce the expected results and ultimately widened the internal divisions, particularly with Luciano Spalletti. Carnevali’s arrival opens a new phase at the club, one more closely tied to a deep understanding of Italian football, direct relationships, and a more traditional approach to the transfer market.
The Sassuolo Connection Extends Beyond Vlahović
Carnevali’s appointment is already shaping the club’s broader transfer strategy. With his arrival, a natural shift towards prioritising the Italian market over international targets is expected, leveraging the excellent relationships he has built over time with other sporting directors and executives across Serie A. This shift is also reflected in Juventus’s growing interest in Tarik Muharemović, the Bosnian defender who has just enjoyed an excellent season with Sassuolo.
Spalletti’s Position Remains Secure
Amid all the upheaval at boardroom level, one thing has been made unambiguously clear: no further changes are anticipated on the technical side. Spalletti will remain Juventus’s manager for 2026/27, and the transfer market will be shaped according to his specific requests. Elkann himself reportedly telephoned Spalletti personally to confirm his continued backing. The handover from Comolli to Carnevali should not fundamentally alter Juventus’s transfer priorities — work continues on delivering Spalletti an experienced goalkeeper, a ball-playing central defender, two forwards, and ultimately a quality attacking midfielder.
What This Means Going Forward
For a player whose Juventus career appeared to be heading towards an inevitable, unceremonious conclusion, the prospect of a fresh conversation represents a genuinely unexpected twist. Nothing is decided, and the financial gap that originally derailed talks has not disappeared overnight. But with a new chief executive more aligned with Spalletti’s footballing philosophy, and a manager who has made clear he sees a role for the Serbian striker, Vlahović’s future at the Allianz Stadium may be considerably less settled than it appeared just a week ago.
