Frenchman Kolo Muani has not convinced Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti as a centre-forward. Gazetta writes that Juventus are now turning their attention again to “the Norwegian giant” in Atlético Madrid.
If it’s not a curse, then at least the striker problem is a nightmare for Luciano Spalletti. Sending Lois Openda into exile to Lyon (scoring on debut), putting Jonathan David on the bench or investing €38 million (plus 12 in bonuses) in Kolo Muani hasn’t helped.
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Everything changes so that nothing changes – and in the last few hours, Alexander Sørloth of Atlético Madrid has once again come on the scene. The Norwegian was already relevant in June, but a poor World Cup lowered interest.
The Tuscan has gone from icy relations with former sporting director Damien Comolli to close collaboration with new directors Giovanni Carnevali and Ricky Massara. Nevertheless, the outbreak after the game against Frosinone was almost identical to what we saw months ago. The only difference was the main character: no longer Openda or David, but the coveted Kolo Muani.
Spalletti ended last season by pointing out the need for a physical striker like Dusan Vlahovic – who is still goalless against Besiktas – and on Sunday he started the new season by resuming the discussion on the striker issue, following Kolo Muani’s mistake in front of goal against Frosinone.
“Randal also has to understand that if he hasn’t played regularly for two years, then there’s a reason for that,” Spalletti said.
Where the attempt to motivate Kolo Muani ends, the frustration over the lack of an “original nine” begins – a frustration that keeps coming back to Spalletti. The bottom line is: even if Kolo Muani isn’t always going to take chances like the one against Frosinone, it’s still not good enough. It’s about qualities, status and goals.
For all these reasons – more so than Joshua Zirkzee at Manchester United, who has been previously considered – the former national team boss insists on Sørloth. New contacts have been made in the last few hours, and the key is the same: Nico Gonzalez.
At Continassa, they have again tried to get a swap between the Norwegian and the Argentine winger, who returned to Turin after a positive loan year with Diego Simeone. Nico wants to play in Madrid, and Juventus hope that the former Fiorentina player can be enough to lower the Spaniard’s asking price – and thus secure the Scandinavian’s signature.
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Sørloth vs. Kolo Muani – the speech of the numbers
Admittedly, the numbers do not say everything – but they do tell something. And when it comes to attacking players, they often say even more.
Sørloth is not Erling Braut Haaland, but during the last three seasons he has always reached 20 goals and that despite less than the desired playing time:
- 2025–26: 20 goals (Atlético Madrid)
- 2024–25: 24 goals (Atlético Madrid)
- 2023–24: 26 goals (Villarreal)
Kolo Muani has only reached similar heights in one season – the magical 2022-23 season with Eintracht Frankfurt, when he scored 23 goals. The last two years have not been worth their weight in gold for the Frenchman, and they are very similar to what he has shown in the pre-season and in the opening match against Frosinone.
We saw the best version of Randal in the six months he was on loan at Juventus (January-July 2025), under Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor. Then he scored ten goals – but without the consistent stability of a Victor Osimhen, to name a striker Spalletti knows well.
In 2025, Kolo Muani scored five goals in his first three games for Juventus (against Napoli, Como and Empoli), followed by two months without netting (23 February to 23 April), before finishing with Champions League goals against Monza, Lazio and Venice. In addition, there was a double in the 5-0 win over Al-Ain in the Club World Cup. A total of ten goals in 22 games.
Before that: half a season at PSG (August 2024–January 2025) – 2 goals in 14 games. After his first Juventus spell, a loan year at Tottenham (2025–26) followed – 5 goals in 41 games.
His new arrival in Turin has been tough – at least as tough as Spalletti’s words in Frosinone. After a good performance in the Australian derby against Inter, the shooting blemishes came in the test matches against Palermo and Next Gen. This was the dress rehearsal for the horror movie at the Stadio Stirpe: one shot on target, one outside – and especially one giant chance that will haunt him for several nights.
Zirkzee awaits in the wings
The alternative to Sørloth – if David disappears – is still Joshua Zirkzee, who could leave Manchester United on loan. The former Bologna striker is not a copy of Sørloth and certainly not a classic penalty striker à la Vlahovic – on the contrary.
Zirkzee is more of a “nine and a half”, but at Continassa he is considered a strong player – the classic opportunity purchase at the end of the window.
The mindset in that case is reminiscent of Max Allegri’s approach in his league champion years with Juventus:
“The most important thing is that there are good players. Then we find a way to get them on the field.
