TURIN, ITALY – March 11, 2026 – Juventus received a significant boost ahead of their weekend clash with Udinese as striker Dusan Vlahovic completed a full training session with the team on Tuesday, signaling his imminent return from a lengthy injury layoff. The Serbian international has been sidelined for over three months, but appears poised to feature in the squad for Saturday’s Serie A match at the Bluenergy Stadium.
Vlahovic’s recovery is timely for Juventus, who are looking to climb the Serie A table. Currently, the Bianconeri have the opportunity to temporarily move into fourth place, putting pressure on Como and AS Roma, who face each other on Sunday, according to Tribuna. The forward’s return could provide a much-needed spark to the Juventus attack, which has seen inconsistent performances from David and Openda.
The 24-year-old suffered a high-grade lesion to the muscle-tendon junction of the left adductor longus during a Serie A match against Cagliari on November 29, 2025, initially feared to keep him out for as much as five months. Yahoo Sports reports that Vlahovic participated in the entire training session with his teammates at the Continassa camp near Turin, indicating he is ready to rejoin the squad.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Spalletti had previously indicated Vlahovic’s potential return to the bench for the Udinese match during a pre-match press conference, as reported by Goal.com. While a cautious approach is expected from the medical staff after such a prolonged absence, Spalletti may consider giving Vlahovic some playing time against Udinese.
Contract Extension Discussions
Beyond his immediate availability for the Udinese match, Vlahovic’s future at Juventus is also under scrutiny. His current contract with the club is set to expire on June 30 and negotiations regarding an extension are expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
The performances of David and Openda could influence the club’s decision-making process, potentially accelerating talks with Vlahovic. However, any extension is likely to involve a substantial reduction in his current salary of £12 million. This figure is deemed unsustainable, particularly if Juventus fails to qualify for the Champions League, according to Goal.com.
Juventus Secure Victory in Post-Tudor Era
Juventus secured a 3-1 victory over Udinese on Wednesday, marking their first win in over a month and the start of the post-Igor Tudor era. Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, and Kenan Yildiz all found the back of the net for the Old Lady. Football Italia detailed the match, noting that Juventus were under the guidance of caretaker manager Massimo Brambilla following Tudor’s recent sacking.
Vlahovic opened the scoring with a penalty in the early minutes of the match. The victory provides a positive start to the Brambilla’s tenure and offers a boost in morale as the team navigates a crucial period both on and off the pitch.
With Vlahovic nearing full fitness and contract negotiations looming, the coming weeks will be pivotal for both the player and the club. His performances on the field will likely play a significant role in determining his future at Juventus.
What are your thoughts on Vlahovic’s return? Share your predictions for Juventus’s remaining Serie A campaign in the comments below!
