Man Utd's loss is Arsenal's gain as Arteta favourite ready to sign

Tom Weber

Updated: 8 Feb 2025 18:31 GMT
4 min read

Manchester United's failure to sign Randal Kolo Muani in January could have a major knock-on effect on Arsenal's summer business.

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The Red Devils were one of the clubs interested in the PSG outcast in the bygone transfer window. However, despite Ruben Amorim's desire to add a striker to his side, nothing materialised on that front, leaving the head coach fuming.

Indeed, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano previously revealed that Man Utd's pursuit of Kolo Muani did not go beyond an initial, exploratory phone call. The French striker ultimately joined Juventus on loan until the end of the season.

The Serie A giants did not manage to secure a purchase option for the 26-year-old, but his start to life in Turin already has fans dreaming of a permanent transfer.

Kolo Muani has only made three appearances for the Bianconeri since signing, but he has already made history, scoring a stunning five goals. He is the first Juventus player to net at least three times in his first three outings since the start of the three-points-per-win era in 1994/95.

Kolo Muani pushing Vlahovic out

The PSG loanee's red-hot start has taken many by surprise and likely none more so than Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian striker has been dealing with niggling injury problems in recent weeks and he has now officially lost his starting spot to Kolo Muani.

Coach Thiago Motta made the Frenchman an instant starter and he has so far played 262 out of an available 270 minutes for Juventus. Meanwhile, Vlahovic has only featured in 33 minutes and he didn't even get off the bench against Como on Friday, with Kolo Muani netting a brace.

Since the end of the January transfer window, Italian media has been talking about Vlahovic as though it is a foregone conclusion that he will leave Juventus in the summer and it is indeed difficult to see a way back for him now.

Juventus are trying to shift his huge contract either via a new deal and amortisation or by simply selling. With negotiations proving difficult, the latter is the most realistic scenario at present.

Arsenal are long-time admirers of the 25-year-old and, while he is no longer Mikel Arteta's top target, he could prove more attainable in the summer than an Alexander Isak or Benjamin Sesko.