Dusan Vlahovic’s recovery is progressing faster than expected, raising hope within Juventus that the Serbian striker could make his return ahead of schedule — potentially in time for the high-profile clash against Inter on 15 February.
Juventus have managed to cope reasonably well in his absence, with recent improvements from Jonathan David helping to ease the pressure up front. However, Luciano Spalletti remains eager to have his first-choice striker back as soon as possible. Before his injury, Vlahovic was undisputedly the number one option in attack and a central figure in the team’s plans.
Faster Than Expected Recovery
Tuttosport report how Vlahovic underwent surgery at the end of November to repair a tendon avulsion in his left adductor, with initial expectations suggesting a recovery time of close to three months — effectively ruling him out until March.
However, the forward’s rehabilitation has gone better than anticipated, and within the club there’s growing confidence that he could be fully fit in about a month, two to three weeks earlier than originally planned. This progress has already been communicated to Spalletti by the medical staff, who remain cautiously optimistic.
Should this timeline be confirmed, the Inter–Juventus derby in mid-February could mark Vlahovic’s comeback — a symbolic target and major boost for the Bianconeri.
Impact on Juventus’ Transfer Plans
Vlahovic’s recovery is likely to influence Juventus’ January transfer strategy. At Continassa, discussions about signing another centre-forward have taken place but without any urgency. Spalletti and the recruitment team are aware that if Vlahovic returns sooner than expected — and if David’s recent form continues — further reinforcement in attack may no longer be necessary.
The club’s sporting director, Marco Ottolini, continues to monitor available forwards on the market, but the sense is that the best solution could already be in-house. Over the coming ten days, Juventus will have a clearer idea of when Vlahovic can rejoin full training and whether a new striker remains part of their plans.
Renewal Unlikely
Looking further ahead, another matter remains uncertain: Vlahovic’s long-term future in Turin. Contract renewal talks have stalled, with no recent progress between Juventus and the player’s representatives. While both parties had expressed positive intentions late last year, the situation has cooled.
Meanwhile, Milan and Barcelona are reportedly in regular contact with Vlahovic’s agent, keeping an eye on his situation as Juventus focus on getting their number nine back on the pitch — perhaps sooner than anyone expected.
