Another injury setback has effectively ended Nico Gonzalez's stint at Atletico Madrid—at least for now. The Argentine winger, who joined the Colchoneros on loan from Juventus last summer, won't trigger the obligation to buy clause in his contract, opening the door for a potential return to Turin or fresh negotiations between the two clubs.

Gonzalez's move to Atletico was always a calculated gamble. After a disappointing first season in Italy, the 28-year-old swapped Turin for Madrid on deadline day, signing a season-long loan worth €3 million with an option to buy for €32 million. That option would have become an obligation if he made 21 La Liga appearances of 45 minutes or more. But with just 16 countable appearances so far—and a third muscle injury of the season now keeping him sidelined—time has simply run out.

The news comes as a blow to Atletico boss Diego Simeone, a fellow Argentine who has publicly admired Gonzalez and would like to keep him in the squad. However, the club's hierarchy isn't willing to match the original €32 million price tag, meaning they won't exercise the option. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, this could spark a new round of talks between Juventus and Atletico. The Italian giants are expected to open with an asking price of around €30 million, but Atletico may counter with just €20 million—a figure they believe could be enough for Juve to avoid a capital loss.

But Juventus might have other plans entirely. New manager Luciano Spalletti is reportedly a long-time admirer of Gonzalez and could welcome him back to Continassa with open arms. Notably, Gonzalez left Turin when Igor Tudor was still in charge, so a fresh start under Spalletti could breathe new life into his Juventus career. With Edon Zhegrova expected to depart this summer, Gonzalez could compete for a starting role on the right side of the attacking trident alongside Francisco Conceicao. His versatility is also a major asset: Gonzalez can slot in as a wing-back on either flank in Spalletti's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

For now, the ball is in both clubs' courts. Whether Gonzalez returns to Juventus or stays in Madrid at a reduced fee, one thing is clear: his next move will be crucial for a player still searching for consistency after a turbulent season.