Juventus is set to undergo major changes in the striker position. The club will likely have an entirely new partnership or trio up top next season, replacing the current three strikers. Currently, the three strikers in the Juventus squad are Dusan Vlahovic, Randal Kolo Muani (on loan), and Arek Milik.
All three of these players are expected to leave Turin at the end of this season as they seek new opportunities away from the club. Randal Kolo Muani’s loan deal from PSG to Juventus does not include an option for a permanent transfer.
There were some rumours that Juventus might look to sign Kolo Muani permanently, but the latest reports suggest he will return to PSG. The rumours of Kolo Muani staying at Juventus stemmed from the likelihood of Dusan Vlahovic departing.
Dusan Vlahovic’s contract expires at the end of next season, and talks for a new deal have been infrequent. Even when negotiations have occurred, Juventus wants to offer Vlahovic a lower salary, while Vlahovic is seeking a higher one.
This is why the deal is breaking down: Vlahovic and his entourage believe he is an established player worth more than the 8 million euros per year currently offered. However, the Juventus board, led by Cristiano Giuntoli, has taken note of his recent performances, particularly this season. Arek Milik will also be sold due to injury issues to leave Juventus with zero strikers.
As a result, Giuntoli must now explore new options, and three names are currently on his mind. The first is Victor Osimhen, considered the best of the trio by most fans. He is currently on loan at Galatasaray after falling out with Napoli coach Antonio Conte.
Napoli will look to sell him at the end of the season, and Juventus could be his next destination. Osimhen is also interested in a move to the Premier League, but the main obstacle for Juventus is his price. His release clause is set at 75 million euros, a significant amount, especially if Juventus aims to make additional signings.
Fortunately, Juventus has two backup options if signing Osimhen proves unfeasible. The leading alternatives are Jonathan David and Lorenzo Lucca. Jonathan David could be an easier deal to complete since he will become a free agent at the end of this season.
Cristiano Giuntoli has already contacted David and his team to begin contract negotiations to bring him to Turin. David would earn 7 million euros per season, but the deal isn’t that straightforward. It includes additional costs such as bonuses and agent fees, totalling up to 15 million euros. This replaces the transfer fee Juventus would have paid to Lille in a typical signing and is 15 to 25 million euros cheaper.
The other striker option, Lorenzo Lucca, would require a transfer fee rather than a free-agent deal. Juventus would need to pay Udinese at least 35 million euros to bring him to Turin, though the fee could rise if Juventus enters a bidding war with Inter and Milan, both of whom are also interested.
Lucca brings multiple advantages to Juventus. At 24, he is still young, meaning Juventus could eventually sell him for a profit. He is also from Turin, so a move to Juventus would allow him to reunite with family and leverage his familiarity with the city. Finally, standing at 201 centimetres tall, he offers the aerial threat that Juventus currently lacks.
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