Tottenham forward Randal Kolo Muani was heavily linked with a return to Juventus in the final week of the winter transfer window.
Fans were hopeful of watching Tottenham Hotspur crack a couple of deals on transfer deadline day, but barely anything happened. They did sign young striker James Wilson from Hearts on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy, while loaning out academy talents George Abbott and Alfie Dorrington on February 2.
So, Thomas Frank managed to secure just two signings during the January transfer window- Conor Gallagher and Souza. The Dane clearly wanted to bring in more after seeing his side struggle royally with form and fitness. The injury list has bloated in recent weeks, stretching his squad to the limit.
And it became worrisome at the weekend when Cristian Romero was subbed off at half-time against Manchester City due to illness, and Dominic Solanke couldn’t continue at one point in the second half due to a fresh blow on his ankle.
Alasdair Gold gave a worrying injury update on Dominic Solanke after Man City game
Alasdair Gold gave a worrying injury update on Dominic Solanke after Man City game
Juventus were keen to bring back Randal Kolo Muani
Amid the ongoing crisis, Randal Kolo Muani was surprisingly linked with a move to Juventus. The forward has failed to win over the Tottenham fanbase with his performances since arriving on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. He is yet to score in the Premier League and has struggled for consistency under Frank.
That did not deter Juventus from making an attempt to sign Randal Kolo Muani, who shone at the Allianz Stadium during the second half of last season on loan. He scored 10 goals in 22 appearances.
Thomas Frank blocked Randal Kolo Muani's move to Juventus
Thomas Frank blocked Randal Kolo Muani’s move to Juventus
Now, according to Italian journalist Enzo Bucchioni writing in his column for TuttoMercatoWeb, Juventus tried until the end to lure Kolo Muani away from north London. The Turin giants had offered an initial loan with an obligation to buy the French striker to PSG, who reportedly gave the green light to such an agreement. However, failure to find a replacement turned out to be the reason behind Tottenham blocking the 26-year-old’s exit.
Frank’s position on Kolo Muani also remained unchanged. The Dane made it clear that he’d only allow the France international to leave if an adequate replacement was lined up. Tottenham failed to bring in a replacement on transfer deadline day, and that led to Kolo Muani staying until the end of the season.
As Tottenham struck a dry loan with PSG, Kolo Muani is very much expected to leave N17 in the summer and start afresh in his career. With his current performances being sub-par, and if he ups his game, starts scoring goals regularly from now on until the end of the season, a different discussion over his future may be held then.