Juventus were linked to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but the midfielder re-committed to Al-Hilal, prolonging his contract until 2028. His previous one would have expired at the end of the current season.

The Bianconeri miss out again on the Serbian international. It already happened a few times during his long spell at Lazio. The midfielder ultimately decided not to leave Saudi Arabia, where he headed to in a €40M transfer two years ago. According to Sportitalia, he’ll earn €20M annually going forward.

Juventus could perhaps have had a better shot at luring Milinkovic-Savic on a Bosman move next summer, rather than negotiating with Al-Hilal in January. The appointment of Simone Inzaghi likely contributed to his permanence. Per Mediaset, another star reportedly considering returning to Europe, Kalidou Koulibaly, could re-up with his current team soon as well.

The Old Lady has been coveting Sandro Tonali for years, but he, too, changed his contractual situation. He extended his deal with Newcastle United during his suspension, pushing the expiration date to 2029 with an option, The Athletic reports.

According to Alfredo Pedullà, the turn of events is only a minor factor. The Azzurri ace’s exit from the Magpies has always been obstructed primarily by his massive price tag, around €80M, and wages. The renewal doesn’t completely take him off the market, but the suitors would have to be willing to pay a hefty price.

Our Take on Juventus, Milinkovic-Savic, and Tonali

Their name was likely exploited by his camp during the talks, as there’s usually little substance to the chatter with so much time before the window opens. The blows shouldn’t deter them from finding a high-profile contributor in January. A three-man midfield is likely in their future.