Why signing Randal Kolo Muani is Juventus’ biggest risk this summer

Juventus are preparing to roll the dice on Randal Kolo Muani once again, despite the French striker’s disappointing spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur raising serious doubts about whether he can still fulfil the promise that once made him one of Europe’s most coveted forwards.

At 27, Kolo Muani is entering what should be the prime years of his career. Instead, he finds himself searching for stability after failing to establish himself at two of Europe’s biggest clubs. While he remains remembered for the chance he missed in France’s dramatic 2022 FIFA World Cup final defeat to Argentina, his club career has struggled to match the early expectations.

Reports indicate Juventus have agreed a deal with PSG that will see the striker return to Turin on loan for an initial €4 million, with an obligation to buy for €34 million. The French champions are prepared to accept a significant financial loss on a player they signed for a much larger fee less than three years ago.

The agreement would also see Kolo Muani sign a five-year contract worth around €5.5 million per season, making him the expected replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.

Spurs spell raises fresh concerns

Juventus’ willingness to invest in the forward comes despite an underwhelming campaign in England.

During his six-month loan at Tottenham, Kolo Muani managed just one Premier League goal and one assist across 30 league appearances. He added another assist in the FA Cup, while a return of four goals and two assists in nine UEFA Champions League matches offered some encouragement but failed to outweigh his domestic struggles.

His lack of impact ensured Tottenham never seriously pursued a permanent transfer, while PSG manager Luis Enrique also showed little interest in reintegrating him into his plans.

Although Kolo Muani featured regularly, starting 26 of his 41 appearances across all competitions and accumulating more than 2,200 minutes, his performances rarely justified the faith placed in him.

Numbers tell a worrying story

A closer examination of his Premier League statistics highlights why Juventus are taking a considerable risk.

Kolo Muani attempted only 31 shots throughout the league campaign, with just 10 finding the target. His 40 per cent shot accuracy ranked among the weakest in Tottenham’s squad, while his solitary league goal did not arrive until February’s North London derby despite joining six months earlier.

His shot conversion rate of just over 16 per cent offered a slight positive, but it did little to disguise a lack of consistency expected from a leading striker.

The statistics become even more concerning considering the areas he occupied. Only Richarlison recorded more touches inside the opposition penalty area than Kolo Muani, yet the Frenchman repeatedly failed to convert promising positions into goals.

His passing also offered little compensation. Kolo Muani completed only 288 of his 417 attempted passes, producing a success rate of just over 69 per cent, the second-lowest among Tottenham’s regular outfield players.

The forward’s struggles extended beyond possession. While he frequently attempted to beat defenders, succeeding in just over 37 per cent of his one-on-one situations represented the poorest success rate among Spurs’ regular players. He also won fewer than half of his aerial duels and contributed minimally in defensive actions.

Collectively, the numbers paint the picture of a player who struggled to adapt to the demands of English football.

Serie A could offer a fresh start

Despite those concerns, Juventus have reason to believe a return to Italy could revive Kolo Muani’s career.

His previous loan spell in Turin was considerably more productive, producing eight Serie A goals in just 16 appearances before adding another two in three FIFA Club World Cup matches. Those displays convinced the Bianconeri that his qualities are better suited to Italian football than the Premier League.

Juventus will hope that familiarity with the club, the tactical demands of Serie A and renewed confidence can help unlock the form that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.

However, the pressure will be immense.

The Turin giants are effectively betting that his struggles in Paris and London were temporary setbacks rather than signs of long-term decline. If they are right, Juventus could secure an experienced international at a reduced price.