Ottolini says Juventus will continue Vlahovic and Spalletti talks
Quick summary
Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini said talks with Dusan Vlahovic over his future have resumed and discussions with coach Luciano Spalletti over a new deal are already advanced. He also noted that Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik have returned but are not yet ready to start.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceJuventus director of sport Marco Ottolini faces his old club Genoa, giving updates on contract talks with Dusan Vlahovic and Luciano Spalletti. ‘Italian football needs vision and patience.’
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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.
The pressure is on the Bianconeri to secure Champions League qualification, which became more difficult after their 1-1 draw with Sassuolo going into the break for international duty.
However, a win here would put them within a point of fourth place, seeing as Como were held 0-0 by Udinese earlier today and Roma lost 5-2 to Inter.
Ottolini outlines Juventus vision GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Marco Ottolini, sports manager of Genoa, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) “It is a special game for me, I want to salute all of Genoa, as I spent some unforgettable years there,” Ottolini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The team is doing well, including those who returned from international duty, and we are ready to concentrate on this final sprint.”
Vlahovic and Arek Milik made their comebacks two weeks ago, but are still only fit for the bench to begin with after so many months on the treatment table.
The Serbian is only under contract until June 30, but while his exit as a free agent had seemed inevitable, it is increasingly likely that a new agreement will be reached.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Dusan Vlahovic and Pierre Kalulu of Juventus interact after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) “With Dusan we started talking again after his return from Belgrade, showing the mutual desire to sit down and evaluate the situation. Those talks will continue over the next few weeks. There is nothing more to say than that,” explained Ottolini.
Coach Spalletti is also in discussions for a contract extension, as he arrived to replace Igor Tudor and penned a short-term deal without guarantees, even if he qualifies for the Champions League.
“With the coach, as he himself said, there is no rush. We are concentrated on these final games, but talks are at an advanced stage.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 at on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Although Jeremie Boga had been expected to start, it is Jonathan David who gets the nod in attack, with Francisco Conceicao, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz in support.
It also remains to be seen how the Italy internationals in the squad will react after the World Cup play-off failure to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The debate over how to get more young players to develop in Italy also involves stronger use of second teams.
“We were the first club in Italy to set up the Next Gen team and are very pleased with how that is progressing, but naturally that also requires investment and infrastructure,” explained Ottolini.
“It also needs patience, but if you have a medium to long-term vision, it does bring results, and we will continue to put our faith in this project.
“When it comes to Italian football as a whole, many expressed their opinions, but I feel we need to sit down, set individual interests aside, and focus on the system in total.”
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What happened
Juventus director Marco Ottolini confirmed that the club has reopened discussions with Dusan Vlahovic after his return from international duty, with both sides willing to review the situation over the coming weeks. Ottolini also said contract talks with coach Luciano Spalletti are at an advanced stage, though there is no immediate rush while Juventus focus on the run-in. The update comes with Juventus under pressure in the race for Champions League qualification. On the squad side, Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are back from long injury absences but remain bench options, while Jonathan David was preferred in the starting attack against Genoa.
Chance analysis
This matters mainly because it signals short-term stability around Juventus during a decisive stretch of the season. Vlahovic's improving fitness and the club's willingness to resume talks reduce immediate uncertainty, while advanced discussions with Spalletti suggest continuity rather than upheaval. For football analysis, the clearest actionable point is that Vlahovic is available but not yet trusted for a start.
Juventus gain a mild short-term boost from renewed internal stability and returning attacking depth, though Vlahovic is still not fully start-ready.
Treat this as a stability-plus availability update for Juventus, but weight the immediate lineup signal more heavily than the longer-term contract narrative.