Juventus Open to Vlahovic Return, But Only on ‘Carnevali’s Terms’

Reports from Italy suggest Juventus are keen to bring striker Dusan Vlahovic back to the club, but only on a deal structured similarly to those engine...

Jul 9, 2026 3 min read 21 views

Juventus Open to Vlahovic Return, But Only on ‘Carnevali’s Terms’

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Reports from Italy on Thursday indicate that Juventus are open to the idea of bringing striker Dusan Vlahovic back to Turin, but only if the financial structure adheres to the shrewd, performance-based model famously championed by Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali.

The Serbian international left Juventus last summer in a high-profile transfer, with the Old Lady pocketing a substantial fee. However, with Vlahovic enduring a mixed campaign at his new club, the Bianconeri are exploring a cut-price reunion—one that would see them avoid the hefty wages and guaranteed sums that characterised his original spell.

Background

Vlahovic, 26, joined Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2022 for a fee of around €80 million, becoming one of Serie A’s highest-paid players. After an inconsistent two-and-a-half years, he was sold last summer as part of a squad overhaul. While his destination was not officially disclosed by Thursday’s reports, it is understood to be a Premier League side where he has struggled to replicate his best form.

Now, Juventus are considering a move to re-sign the 23-cap Serbia forward, believing he could rediscover his scoring touch in familiar surroundings under a new tactical set-up.

Juventus’ Stance

According to the report, Juventus are willing to negotiate a deal but are adamant about avoiding a repeat of their previous financial outlay. The club’s hierarchy wants a low base fee, with significant add-ons tied to appearances, goals, and Champions League qualification—a structure that mirrors how Carnevali has conducted business at Sassuolo.

“It’s about protecting the club’s finances while giving the player the chance to earn his rewards,” a source close to the club told Football Italia. “If Vlahovic is confident in his ability, he should have no issue accepting such terms.”

The Carnevali Model

Giovanni Carnevali has earned a reputation as one of the most astute negotiators in Italian football. Under his leadership, Sassuolo have consistently sold top talents—like Gianluca Scamacca, Manuel Locatelli, and Domenico Berardi—for substantial fees, but often with performance-related clauses that minimise risk for buying clubs while rewarding sellers based on player success.

Juventus’ interest in applying this model to a potential Vlahovic return underlines a shift in their transfer philosophy, moving away from the lavish spending that marked the Cristiano Ronaldo era towards a more sustainable long-term strategy.

Key Takeaways

Juventus are open to re-signing Dusan Vlahovic but only on financially prudent terms.
The club wants a deal structured with a low guaranteed fee and substantial performance-related bonuses, akin to Sassuolo’s negotiating style.
Vlahovic left Juventus last summer and has since struggled at his new club, prompting talk of a return.
Giovanni Carnevali’s influence on modern transfer negotiations is once again evident, even in deals not involving Sassuolo directly.
A move would depend on Vlahovic’s willingness to accept a performance-based contract and Juventus’ ability to offload other forwards.