​If Juventus’ latest bid to sign Randal Kolo Muani isn’t reaching “saga” status yet, we’re certainly edging very close. As we wait to see whether RKM will finally return to Turin as he desires, we’ve reached a point in these protracted negotiations where they can be described as stalled or something similar. That’s precisely what English transfer watcher Ben Jacobs indicated on Wednesday. Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have been locked in talks about Muani for weeks, but even Giovanni Carnevali, the club’s new CEO, hasn’t sounded fully convinced about what the two-time defending Champions League winners want for their wanted man. Consequently, despite Juventus holding a priority position in talks, PSG has begun engaging with other clubs for a potential Muani transfer, with several English and German sides shown interest, Jacobs reports.
This development follows a report from French outlet Foot Mercato that Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have also entered the frame and are weighing a move for Muani. In a follow-up to his initial post, Jacobs adds that Muani has told PSG he prefers a move to Juventus. So when you hear that discussions about Muani are stalling again, Carnevali’s remarks a day earlier begin to make sense. When Carnevali notes that PSG’s demands have not come down and that the two sides value the player differently, you can see why talks are stalling.
Muani reportedly agreed to personal terms with Juventus more than two weeks ago. That agreement now appears to be the sole point Juventus can secure in dealings with PSG these days. The asking price at the outset of this round of negotiations has been around €40 million. Juventus aren’t prepared to splash that amount in a single payment to sign Muani outright this summer. If they weren’t prepared to do it last year—when they had Champions League (and Club World Cup) income flowing in—then it’s hard to imagine a different outcome 12 months on, especially with the Europa League anthem likely to echo around the Allianz Stadium for the home team’s staff.
One has to wonder how long Carnevali will persist with the expectation that a deal with PSG for Muani can be salvaged before he pivots to alternative options. No matter how far Norway goes at the World Cup, Alexander Sørloth will soon be done with international duty, and those talks will probably resume. Or perhaps there’s another option in mind—someone who Juve manager Luciano Spalletti can deploy to get the best out of the squad next season. (Preseason training starts in five days, folks.)