Dusan Vlahovic's frustrating season has taken another turn, with a calf injury set to sideline the Juventus striker for at least three weeks. This latest setback, suffered while warming up against Genoa, comes just weeks after he returned from a four-month layoff following adductor surgery. For a player of his caliber, it threatens to cap the campaign with his least productive return yet.

However, in the complex world of football business, this physical misfortune could translate to a strategic advantage for Juventus off the pitch. The club has been in ongoing talks to extend the Serbian international's contract, which expires in June. While Vlahovic was previously seeking a salary close to his current €12 million per year, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

According to reports, serious interest from other European giants like Barcelona or Milan has failed to materialize, with no club seemingly willing to match his existing high wages. This lack of external options, combined with his recent injury history, has strengthened Juventus's hand at the negotiating table. The Bianconeri are now reportedly only open to offering a shorter one or two-year extension with a reduced salary in the €6-7 million range.

With limited time left in the season to prove his fitness and form—for both Juventus and the Serbian national team—Vlahovic's leverage has diminished. As director Marco Ottolini noted a "mutual desire" to continue talks, the club finds itself in a stronger position to secure a deal that aligns with their financial structure, turning an on-field setback into a potential off-field win in a crucial contract saga.