Juventus Squad Management in Focus
Juventus is actively addressing the contracts of its players, with a key priority being the extension of midfielder Manuel Locatelli's deal. The Italian international is on the verge of committing his future to the 'Old Lady,' as his current contract runs until the summer of 2028. The club has tabled a new offer that would keep him in Turin until June 2030. Locatelli currently earns approximately €6.11 million per season, with the potential for an additional €1.5 million in bonuses.
Since joining Juventus in 2023, Locatelli has made 41 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing two assists. However, the futures of several other squad members remain unresolved. This summer, the following players could leave as free agents:
- Winger Filip Kostic
- Striker Dusan Vlahovic
The club does not plan to offer Kostic a new contract, while they are interested in extending their partnership with Vlahovic. The deals for goalkeepers Mattia Perin and Stefano Pinsoglio, as well as forward Arkadiusz Milik, are set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 campaign.
Juventus's 2025/26 Season Performance
In the 2025/26 Serie A season, Juventus currently sits in fifth place with 60 points from 32 matches. They hold a two-point lead over Como and have secured four wins in their last five Italian league fixtures. In the Champions League, however, Juventus finished the group stage in 13th place. Their playoff tie against Istanbul's Galatasaray saw them lose the first leg 5-2. In the return leg, Juventus scored three times in regular play, but Galatasaray netted twice in extra time, ending the Italian side's European campaign.
In other significant club news, head coach Luciano Spalletti recently signed a contract extension until the summer of 2028, with a new salary of around €6 million per season. It has also been confirmed that Raphael Guerreiro will not renew with Bayern Munich and will become a free agent this summer. These developments come as Juventus, one of Italy's most storied clubs, carefully plans its squad strategy for the coming years, balancing the successes and challenges of the current campaign.
The personnel decisions made by Juventus could significantly impact the team's stability and competitiveness in the seasons ahead.
Securing Locatelli's future signals the club's intent to retain its core players, while the situations surrounding others like Kostic could open avenues for squad reinforcement. Maintaining continuity in the coaching staff with Spalletti's extension is also seen as critical for achieving consistent results on the pitch.
As Juventus navigates contract negotiations for key players, the recent extension of Spalletti's contract until 2026 emphasizes the club's commitment to stability and long-term planning. This strategic move suggests that the management is keen on building a cohesive team, which could ultimately influence the futures of players like Vlahovic and Kostic.