Juventus are keen to bring back Randal Kolo Muani, whose loan spell at Tottenham is coming to an end. To reduce the cost of the deal, the Turin-based club could offer Paris Saint-Germain a swap deal involving strikers, bringing Jonathan David into the equation.
Loaned to Tottenham in the dying moments of the summer transfer window, Randal Kolo Muani failed to make an impression at Spurs. Having scored five goals all season – just one in the Premier League – the striker is set to return to Paris Saint-Germain.
For how long? Still seemingly out of Luis Enrique’s plans, the French international would like to return to Juventus, where he was on loan last year. The Italian club, which has let Dusan Vlahovic leave (end of contract), is equally keen.
Contacts re-established between PSG and Juve regarding Kolo Muani
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday, officials from PSG and Juventus met in Budapest last Saturday, on the sidelines of the Champions League final. The reigning two-time European champions reiterated their financial demands: it will cost €30 million to buy out the final two years of the former Nantes player’s contract. This figure is more than three times lower than his purchase price (€95m from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023).
A further meeting between representatives of the two clubs is expected to take place shortly, and the Turin side are banking heavily on Kolo Muani’s determination to tip the balance in their favour during negotiations. The 2022 World Cup runner-up scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for the Bianconeri during his loan spell last year. However, one possibility is gaining traction to move the talks forward: a swap of centre-forwards.
David included in the deal?
To reduce the transfer fee, or even avoid paying one altogether, Juve could offer PSG a swap deal involving Jonathan David, who has struggled north of the Alps (8 goals in 46 games this season), a year after signing on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Lille. Could this idea appeal to Paris? It cannot be ruled out.
In this position, where Gonçalo Ramos is among the players likely to leave this summer, the Canadian international could be a potential replacement. Furthermore, it was Luis Campos, the current sporting director at Paris Saint-Germain, who first spotted David at La Gantoise and signed him for LOSC in 2020. PSG’s response is still awaited.
Real: Enrique Riquelme, one PR blunder too many…
Enrique Riquelme may have made a communication error with serious consequences by announcing the transfer of Erling Haaland, should he be elected as Real Madrid president. Manchester City could take legal action against him.
The battle is raging between Florentino Pérez and Enrique Riquelme. The battle of egos between the two candidates for the Real Madrid presidency reached unprecedented levels on Wednesday evening (see article here).
In this bitter duel, Riquelme thought he had scored a major coup by announcing a transfer for Erling Haaland, should he win the election next Sunday. However, this could backfire on him.
Enrique Riquelme facing legal action?
The 37-year-old businessman stole the show on the programme *El Hormiguero* by announcing that his two major signings would be Rodri and Haaland. The founder of the Cox Energy group even brandished a Real Madrid shirt bearing the Norwegian international’s name. While the centre-forward’s entourage was quick to deny any agreement with Riquelme, the Manchester club also took a firm stance.
“The rumours coming out of Spain regarding Erling Haaland’s future are false. It is impossible for this to happen and no contractual clause allows for it. We are considering legal action for the use of our player’s image in this context,” the English runners-up responded in a statement reported by the British media on Thursday.
Man City very confident on the matter
Internally, Manchester City are not at all concerned about the future of their centre-forward, who has an extra-long contract – valid until June 2034. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Sky Blues’ management are perfectly calm and do not expect the Scandinavian to leave at all. The player has shown no sign of wanting to leave and will remain a key part of the project under new manager Enzo Maresca.
