Endless Negotiations and a Final Turn: How the Deal Between Juventus and the French Striker Collapsed in One Night
Image: Randal Kolo Muani in a Juventus kit (likely from a simulation or concept), during a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match in Philadelphia, United States.
The situation was resolved at the very last second, with Tottenham ultimately capitalizing. The longest transfer saga of Juventus`s summer ended with yet another twist, seeing Kolo Muani move to England on a loan deal – precisely the formula Juventus had been contemplating for weeks. However, PSG remained unyielding, consistently demanding more than the Bianconeri could offer. The escalating demands in the final days further hindered negotiations, while Juventus`s slow decision-making also played a part. What seemed like a straightforward deal for Kolo Muani became complex, drawn-out, and prolonged. It evolved into a last-minute issue, with a potential photo-finish deal anticipated, but the breakthrough from Paris never materialized.
Timing and Costs
That midnight call, between August 31st and September 1st, came too late. While Paris only stirred at 3 AM, Turin already had an alternative in mind for the French striker, who had transformed from an opportunity into a `mission impossible.` For some days, Juventus had been assessing the costs of the Kolo Muani operation based on Paris Saint-Germain`s revised and increased conditions: from the €60 million requested for the loan with an obligation to buy, to the €8 million annual salary for the player. Was it sustainable? Hardly, especially when added to the €12 million Vlahovic receives this season. Ultimately, beyond the timing, economic factors proved decisive. This led to the arrivals of Openda, younger and more economical than Kolo, and Zhegrova, the final pieces of the puzzle arriving concurrently with Nico Gonzalez`s departure. Together, these two cost roughly what PSG demanded for Kolo Muani, and from a wage bill perspective, Juventus saves more with this duo than with the French forward. Meanwhile, Tottenham quietly observed and, in the end, secured the player (on a dry loan) that Juventus had pursued for months.
