Juventus have been trying for months to extend the contract of rising star Kenan Yildiz, with his super agent Jorge Mendes attempting to negotiate a deal offering €6 million (US$7m) a season. Yet the Bianconeri have tabled a lower amount, which has resulted in the player's agent looking to broker a move away from the Serie A side.
Despite the stalemate, the Bianconeri are aiming to secure his services although the 20-year-old understandably wishes to be at a club that is capable of winning silverware. Should his team-mate Dusan Vlahovic remain with the Turin titans, then the Turkish international could be persuaded to stay.
Both Serbia star Vlahovic and Yildiz are only borderline world class at Juventus, who have not been Scudetto title contenders for some time and have yet to set the Champions League alight. The fallen Italian giants have suffered in recent years, since they sacked manager Max Allegri, with gambles on giving Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor the reigns backfiring.
With Luciano Spalletti, the former Italy and Napoli head coach, at the helm until the end of the season there are expectations for Juve to become fiercely competitive again. But contract chaos with Vlahovic and Yildiz means there is tension at the club.
Juve's dilemma is that leading European teams are closely monitoring the situation for the pair. Vlahovic, Serie A's highest earner on €12 (US$14m) a season, has a prolific scoring record in Serie A so is viewed as a great free agent in the summer. Yet he is willing to wait until the end of the season to see if Juventus are willing to table a contract extension that matches his current salary.
Juve's toothless frontline
Despite bringing in goal poacher Jonathan David and unorthodox striker Lois Openda during the summer, Vlahovic remains the top attacker and has so far been the only forward capable of netting goals. Canada international David has failed to find the back of the net for Juventus since his Serie A debut in August, while Openda has yet to score for the Bianconeri.
Yildiz has a whopping €100m (US$116m) price tag, courtesy of Mendes' hype over the rising star who came through the Juventus Next Gen set-up after joining from Bayern Munich.
Munich are among the teams exploring his availability both in the winter and summer transfer windows. Chelsea are the leading Premier League side to show interest, and their bid was turned down in August. A clutch of La Liga giants have Yildiz on their radar, with Barcelona having already rejected being offered the whizzy winger before the start of the season although they have renewed their interest.
Juventus kicked off alternative ways to prevent Yildiz's low-cost departure, which included a potential swap deal with Real Madrid.
Double setback for Juventus
Turkish winger Arda Guler and Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior were the two players that the Bianconeri were interested in exchanging Yildiz for with Real Madrid. Yet the Spanish heavyweights have dismissed this proposal, although Yildiz remains of genuine interest.
Left-footed Guler would have been seen as a like-for-like swap. The 20-year-old can be implemented as an attacking midfielder or winger, and possesses a similar style of play to his compatriot Yildiz. Real Madrid signed him from Fenerbahce two years ago, and he has become a pivotal part of their side. Guler won the La Liga title and the Champions League in his inaugural season with Real Madrid.
Vinicius, who has been substituted in seven of the 10 matches he started this term, seems discontented about being playing a bit-part role. He needs regular minutes to secure a place in Brazil's squad in order to tackle the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, are waiting in the wings to see if his working relationship with Xabi Alonso continues to be fractious. His €100m (US$116m) valuation would not deter top English clubs, with Juventus only able to sign the 25-year-old if they could sort out a swap deal.