David wants Juventus stay but faces uphill battle to convince Spalletti
Quick summary
Jonathan David wants to remain at Juventus but must convince new manager Luciano Spalletti, who has not yet committed to the striker being part of his plans.
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Attributed to original sourceJonathan David’s home World Cup campaign is over and he is now expected to report back for pre-season training with Juventus in mid-July, but whilst the Canada international wants to stay on with the Bianconeri in 2026-27, he faces an uphill battle in convincing head coach Luciano Spalletti.
Where Juventus stand with Jonathan David David joined Juventus on a free transfer ahead of the 2025-26 season, but failed to impress during his first season in Italy, coming up with just six goals from 35 Serie A outings. This was the first season in David’s career where he failed to reach double figures in the league.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Jonathan David of Juventus reacts during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Aside from his goalscoring record, there were also concerns that the Canadian did not fit into Juve’s system and that he did not have the physical qualities to lead the line as a lone centre-forward.
There were even suggestions in the Italian press midway through the season that David had not settled into life with the Old Lady, which led to Spalletti having to defend the striker and his social skills in a pre-match press conference back in December.
Despite his struggles, recent reports claim that David does not want to give up on his Juventus career after just one season and that he is keen to prove what he has to offer heading into 2026-27.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that this is still the case, however, convincing head coach Spalletti is not going to be a straightforward task.
That is largely because Juventus are looking to bring in a new starting centre-forward, potentially Randal Kolo Muani from PSG. And, the club have already brought in a new, young alternative in the form of Jeff Ekhator from Genoa .
La Gazzetta dello Sport also maintains the stance that Spalletti wants a more physical profile at centre-forward.
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti smiles during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) However, David’s current salary, believed to be around €6m per season net, is a bit of an issue. There have not yet been any concrete offers for the Canadian, but without a sale, La Gazzetta dello Sport predicts that it will be increasingly complicated for the Bianconeri to bring in another striker this summer.
That means that there is still a possibility that David gets his way and ends up with a second chance to impress at the Allianz Stadium in 2026-27.
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What happened
Striker Jonathan David, who joined Juventus in the summer, is keen to stay at the club beyond the current campaign. However, with Luciano Spalletti recently appointed as the new Juventus head coach, David faces uncertainty over his role. Spalletti is reportedly assessing his squad and has not yet indicated whether David features in his long-term project. David's future at the Allianz Stadium could hinge on his performances and his ability to adapt to Spalletti's tactical demands.
Chance analysis
This story highlights a player-manager dynamic at Juventus where a recent signing's place is uncertain under a new regime. For prediction systems, David could see reduced minutes or be moved on if he fails to impress Spalletti, directly affecting Juventus's attacking options. It also signals that Spalletti is willing to reshape the squad rather than inherit previous management's decisions.
David's role at Juventus is uncertain under Spalletti, potentially reducing his playing time and prompting transfer activity in attack.
Monitor David-Spalletti relationship; if unresolved, Juventus may seek a new striker, affecting their attacking depth and market activity.