Juventus found the back of the net against Parma in their Serie A opener, courtesy of goal poacher Jonathan David and lethal marksman Dusan Vlahovic.
Juve head coach Igor Tudor can surely see the value of keeping Serbia striker Vlahovic, who has been bagging goals with aplomb in pre-season and was on target within two minutes of his late appearance against Parma.
The club’s hierarchy have been desperate to cash in on Vlahovic, whose contract expires in June, and reduce the wage bill as the 25-year-old is Serie A’s highest-paid player.
With ongoing talks between Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain still not reaching an agreement for the French international, Juve have drawn up a shortlist of attackers. Although it seems foolish to overlook Vlahovic, especially if they allow him to join former Juve boss Max Allegri at rival club AC Milan.
Muani, who became surplus to requirements at PSG last December, came close to joining Tottenham Hotspur. The deal to switch to the Premier League collapsed, so in stepped Juventus where Muani made an instant impact under the then head coach Thiago Motta.
After Motta got the boot, Muani fell down the pecking order under Tudor who favored Vlahovic. It took an injury to Vlahovic for Muani to be given a chance, and he shone in a Juve jersey.
Kolo Muani turned down Premier League approaches
A return to Turin was touted, with the 26-year-old turning down Premier League offers to return to Juventus. Yet cash-strapped Juve are demanding a season-long loan with an obligation to buy, while PSG want a straight sale.
The goal posts have moved over both Muani’s asking price and the obligatory conditions that would trigger a purchase, with Juventus struggling financially until they have offloaded some of their unwanted players.
For Juve to be even looking at signing another striker rather than utilizing Vlahovic seems to be an expensive gamble, particularly after many of Motta’s marquee signings ended up as flops.
Vlahovic, who has finished as the club’s top scorer every season since he joined in January 2025, has a prolific scoring record in Serie A and is hitting his peak form.
Juventus striker targets remain
Nicolas Jackson is likely to remain in the Premier League with Arsenal and Aston Villa keen to land the Chelsea outcast, while Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund and RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda have also been touted as possible new Juventus signings.
Manchester United outcast Hojlund was wanted by AC Milan and Juve have toyed with signing him. Napoli are hotly pursuing the 22-year-old to replace their injured forward Romelu Lukaku, at around €40m (US$46.8m).
RB Leipzig’s 25-year-old Openda, who plays in a similar manner to Muani, is available for €50 million (US$58.4m) and being monitored by Premier League newcomers Sunderland.
Sporting Lisbon’s 20-year-old attacker Conrad Harder, on the radar at AC Milan, would be a gamble but a potential bargain for just €20m (US$28.4m). He netted 13 goals in 54 matches last season.
With the probable non-arrival of Muani and the formidable scoring talents of Vlahovic, splashing the cash on an attacker could be hit or miss. Maybe it is a question of sticking with their striker, as the expression states “It’s better the devil you know”.