After a grueling four-month battle with injury, Artem Dovbyk is finally back on the training pitch with a smile on his face—but his future at Roma is anything but certain.

The Ukrainian striker underwent surgery for a myotendinous tear in his left thigh, a setback that sidelined him for the entire second half of the season. Now, if he can keep up with coach Gasperini's demanding training regimen, there's a chance he could feature in the upcoming derby against Lazio.

It's been a long road back for the former Girona star. Dovbyk hasn't played since January 6th, when he scored his third and most recent goal of the season in Roma's 2-0 win over Lecce. That moment now feels like a distant memory.

While his return to group training is a positive sign, reports from Il Tempo suggest this could be a farewell tour. The matches against Lazio and Verona might be his last in a Roma shirt. With Gasperini finding his ideal striker in Malen—who has already netted 13 goals in 16 Serie A appearances—Dovbyk's role has been diminished.

For all parties involved, a summer departure makes sense. The 27-year-old would avoid being reduced to a bench role, while Roma could recoup some of their investment and free up his hefty salary. After two underwhelming seasons in the Italian capital, a fresh start might be the best play for everyone.