Juventus are considering both Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur and Joshua Zirkzee as potential attacking reinforcements ahead of the upcoming season, according to reports in Italy. The club is evaluating which player best fits coach Luciano Spalletti’s system, which prioritizes physicality and technical ability in the penalty area.
Both players endured difficult 2023-24 campaigns with their respective clubs, experiencing limited playing time and inconsistent form. Kolo Muani joined Tottenham from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer for a reported fee of around €70 million, but struggled to establish himself in the Premier League, making 41 appearances, 26 as a starter, and scoring five goals with four assists. Zirkzee, meanwhile, spent the season at Manchester United, where he also found opportunities scarce, starting only five of his 26 appearances and contributing two goals and one assist.
Data from Sofascore indicates that Kolo Muani created more chances than Zirkzee during the last season, generating five goal-scoring opportunities compared to Zirkzee’s two. However, Zirkzee demonstrated a slightly better goal-scoring rate, netting a goal every 351 minutes, while Kolo Muani scored at a rate of one goal every 440 minutes. Zirkzee also marginally edged out Kolo Muani in shots on target, though the Frenchman had a slightly higher success rate in dribbling.
Spalletti is reportedly seeking a forward who is not solely reliant on receiving the ball in front of goal, but actively involved in build-up play and capable of creating chances. The choice between Kolo Muani and Zirkzee will likely hinge on a thorough assessment of their suitability for Spalletti’s tactical approach and their potential to contribute to Juventus’s attacking output. The arrival of either player would address a need for depth and quality in Juventus’s forward line as they prepare for a Serie A title challenge.
