Juventus and PSG eye deal that would ruin Man Utd's January

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Jan 2025 15:11 GMT
• 4 min read

Juventus and PSG are interested in each others' strikers, according to Italian media, and this could be bad news for Manchester United.

The Red Devils are known to be desperate to add a reliable No.9 and have been linked with a host of names, from Victor Osimhen to Viktor Gyokeres and Matheus Cunha.

However, it is no secret that Man Utd will likely be unable to spend big on a striker - or anyone, for that matter - unless they can manage to pull off some lucrative sales, which will be a tall task in a January window.

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As such, Man Utd may have to postpone the signing of a world-class centre-forward and settle for a more attainable solution, with PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani a player frequently associated with a January switch to Old Trafford.

The Frenchman is expected to be available on an initial loan, though PSG may insist on a purchase obligation. Whatever the case, despite having previously cost a whopping €95 million, he may ultimately be cheaper than Osimhen or Gyokeres.

Vlahovic-Kolo Muani swap?

The problem Man Utd face on that front is that Kolo Muani has no shortage of suitors despite his terrible time at PSG. Arsenal, Galatasaray, Monaco and RB Leipzig are just some of the clubs said to be keen on him.

Most recently, the name of Juventus was added to the list of admirers, with the Bianconeri, of course, also prominently linked with Man Utd flop Joshua Zirkzee.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a Juventus move for Kolo Muani could become a real possibility and the pursuit could even be aided by the fact that PSG are reportedly interested in Dusan Vlahovic.

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The Serb is on a massive contract at Juventus and they are keen to reduce their yearly spending on him either by amortisation via a new deal or through a straightforward sale, which has attracted the attention of PSG.

The Italian outlet posits a scenario in which both clubs could eye a mutually beneficial swap deal, which would be terrible news for Man Utd as they would not only miss out on Kolo Muani but also potentially lose their ability to offload Zirkzee due to Juventus no longer needing him.