The Juventus head coach is facing a tough task in the transfer market, attempting to offload misfits before the Serie A campaign kicks off on 14 August.
A couple of outcasts have been sold, with three exciting players acquired to strengthen the Juve squad, but it is a slow summer transfer market for them.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kolo Muani, who had a successful stint at the Turin titans last term by hitting 10 goals in 22 appearances, firmly remains on Juve’s wanted list.
Muani has gone public by announcing that he would be extremely interested in returning to the Serie A side, having enjoyed his spell in Turin and savored life in the city.
Arsenal and Chelsea PSG hot-shot
The French champions initially wanted to sell the 26-year-old, but both Arsenal and Chelsea rejected the chance to buy Muani. Arsenal signed Juventus target Viktor Gyokeres, while Chelsea have recently brought in forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
That leaves Manchester United in the running alongside Juve, with PSG seeking at least €40 million (US$47m). That figure is too rich for Juventus. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the leading Premier League clubs monitoring Muani’s situation.
Yet today’s reports from the French sports media revealed that PSG could be open to discussions with Juventus about a loan with an obligation to buy, which would be triggered by the number of appearances or Juve’s European exploits.
Although Muani has resumed training at PSG, he is not in the plans of head coach Luis Enrique. With three years remaining on his contract, the European champions are eager to get him off the wage bill.
Loan is preferable for Juve
A loan means that PSG contribute towards his salary, which was why the club had previously been reluctant to accept a loan rather than an outright purchase.
Muani, who scored twice in Juve’s 5-0 rout over Abu Dhabi side Al-Ain FC at the FIFA Club World Cup, is aiming to add more silverware to his collection. He won the Coupe de France with Nantes, followed by a pair of Ligue 1 titles and two domestic cups with PSG.
The 2022 World Cup runner-up faces uncertainty about returning to Juve, as the cash-strapped sideare insisting on a loan with an option to buy rather than an obligation to buy.
Juventus sporting director Damien Comolli is expected to bid for Muani next week to scupper Manchester United’s interest, with a decision from PSG expected by early August.