Dusan Vlahovic rejects financial demands rumors: The truth behind Juventus exit

Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbian striker who just joined Besiktas on a free transfer after his contract with Juventus expired, has refuted reports that he made unreasonable financial demands during contract renewal negotiations. In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Vlahovic stated that his benching in his final season at Turin was solely due to his contract entering its final year, not because of any wage or clause demands. Vlahovic, 26, joined Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2026 for €85 million – one of the most expensive transfers in Serie A history. However, after four and a half seasons, he left without making the expected impact. The 2026-2026 season saw Vlahovic make only 15 Serie A appearances, scoring 4 goals, before being dropped from the starting lineup in the final months. 'I know I was pushed down the pecking order because my contract was running down. The Juventus hierarchy kept me in the dark for three years, constantly floating renewal rumors but never making a real move. That frustrated me, but I never demanded exorbitant wages or special clauses as the press wrote,' Vlahovic shared. False reports about Vlahovic's financial demands had sparked criticism from Juventus fans, who labeled him a 'money grabber' unworthy of the club's number nine role. However, Vlahovic insists these were fake news. 'I didn't want to leave Juventus with a bad image. I love the club, I love my teammates, but that's football. When your contract nears its end, everything changes. I just want to focus on Besiktas and repay the faith of the fans here.' Besiktas, playing in the Turkish Super Lig, quickly approached Vlahovic as the summer 2026 transfer window opened. With no transfer fee required, Besiktas could allocate budget for an attractive salary, convincing Vlahovic to sign a three-year contract. The warm welcome from Besiktas fans at Vodafone Park moved Vlahovic. 'I've never felt so loved from day one. They sang my name, waved Serbian flags. That gives me motivation to give my all.' From a transfer market perspective, Vlahovic's case is a textbook example of how contract-year pressure can distort a player's value. Juventus, who invested €85 million, recovered no fee. This raises questions about big clubs' contract management strategies. Should they let a player enter his final year without a renewal or early sale plan? For Vlahovic, leaving for free was a major financial loss for Juventus but a golden opportunity for Besiktas. Transfer market analyst Phan Tung (a Vietnamese football insider) commented: 'The Vlahovic deal shows European clubs are increasingly cautious with expiring contracts. Juventus made a mistake by not selling Vlahovic earlier, instead letting him leave for free. This is a lesson for Vietnamese clubs managing foreign players' contracts: don't wait until the final year to negotiate extensions, because then the player holds all the bargaining power.' Tactically, Vlahovic joins Besiktas as the Turkish side rebuilds its attack after losing several key players. With his ideal physique (1m90) and diverse finishing ability, Vlahovic is expected to become the main striker. However, pressure from fan expectations and the notoriously tough Super Lig environment could be major challenges. 'I'm not afraid of pressure. At Juventus, I got used to being scrutinized every day. Besiktas gives me a chance to restart my career, and I'll seize it,' Vlahovic added. Tensions between Vlahovic and Juventus management were also revealed. According to insider sources, Vlahovic repeatedly expressed his desire to know his future plans, but Juventus only responded with vague promises. 'They said they would renew, then went silent. I felt disrespected. That's why I decided to leave when my contract ended,' Vlahovic revealed. The incident also sparked debate about the media's role in shaping player images. False reports about financial demands led to heavy criticism of Vlahovic, affecting his mental state. 'I read the papers and saw myself portrayed as greedy. That was annoying. But I didn't want to fight back through the media. I just wanted to tell the truth once and focus on football,' he said. Ending the interview, Vlahovic thanked Juventus fans for their support and promised to give his all for Besiktas. 'I don't regret my time at Juventus. It was an important part of my career. But now, I belong to Besiktas. I'll fight for the black-and-white shirt.' The Vlahovic deal once again shows the harshness of the top-level transfer market. A player once valued at €85 million can leave for free after a few seasons without proper contract management. For Besiktas, this is a major boost in quality and image. For Juventus, it's an expensive lesson in letting their biggest asset leave for nothing. As Vietnamese football integrates further, Vlahovic's story serves as a reminder for managers: don't let emotions override reason in contract negotiations. A player's value lies not only in transfer fees but also in the timing of a sale and the ability to mitigate contract-year risks.