News Focus
- Juventus will compete in the Europa League next season after failing to secure Champions League qualification
- CEO Damien Comolli confirms the club must sell one key player due to financial pressures
- Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz will definitely remain at the Allianz Stadium despite transfer rumours
- Striker Dusan Vlahovic faces an uncertain future with just one year remaining on his current deal
- Comolli defends his relationship with coach Luciano Spalletti amid reports of tension
Juventus chief executive Damien Comolli has admitted the Italian giants may need to offload one of their star players this summer. The Turin-based club failed to qualify for the Champions League, which means they will compete in the Europa League during the 2026-27 campaign.
The absence of Europe’s premier club competition will hurt the Bianconeri’s budget significantly. Comolli revealed this financial pressure makes a high-profile departure inevitable.
“We anticipate one more transfer out. I would describe it as unexpected,” the French director told Gazzetta dello Sport. He accepted responsibility for the season’s shortcomings, stating, “It is a failure from which I do not intend to hide. We have laid the groundwork for the future, yet the results fell short.”
Despite speculation linking several stars with moves away, Comolli issued a firm guarantee regarding Turkish talent Kenan Yildiz. When questioned about the youngster’s future, he responded bluntly: “Do not be ridiculous. Kenan is not going anywhere.”
The CEO also ruled out any capital injection to boost transfer funds. “No capital increase is planned. Even if we pursued one, we could not utilise those funds in the transfer market,” he explained.
Comolli addressed his working relationship with head coach Luciano Spalletti, who signed a contract extension in April. Reports suggest tension exists between the pair, but Comolli dismissed these claims while acknowledging room for improvement.
“I wanted to bring Luciano here. Alongside Giorgio Chiellini, we extended his contract before the season ended,” he said. “We have known each other for only seven months. We can and must improve our rapport, but we have made decisions together regarding the January window and this summer.”
Regarding Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract expires in 12 months, Comolli expressed a desire to retain the forward. “At Christmas, he and I sat down together. He promised me he would not leave in January, and he kept his word,” Comolli noted. “We wish to continue with our centre-forward, though the final decision rests with Dusan and his father.”
Comolli, who completed his first season after joining as General Manager last summer and becoming CEO in November, believes he needs time to transform the club. “A cycle for someone in my position should last three to five years before proper judgment,” he stated. “This does not guarantee I will remain that long, nor does it excuse us from winning immediately. It is merely my philosophy.”