The Randal Kolo Muani saga is starting to feel like a game of high stakes poker where nobody wants to blink first. Paris Saint Germain have planted th...
The Randal Kolo Muani saga is starting to feel like a game of high stakes poker where nobody wants to blink first. Paris Saint Germain have planted their flag in the turf and they are not moving. Juventus, meanwhile, are left to chew over their options, reportedly cooling on their initial pursuit and turning their gaze towards a different Premier League export.Information reaching GoalZaza suggests that the Bianconeri have yet to come within sniffing distance of the valuation set by the Parisian hierarchy. Kolo Muani, a player who arrived with the thunderous reputation of a World Cup final goal, has found life in the French capital more inconsistent than electric. He is a striker of clear pedigree, capable of dropping deep to link play or running the channels with genuine pace. But PSG are not a patient club. They want their money back, or close to it, and they will not be bullied into a discount just because Thiago Motta needs a centre forward before the window slams shut.This is where the interesting twist emerges. Juventus, perhaps weary of the haggling, have reportedly reignited their interest in Jean. Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace. Now, this is a different profile entirely. Mateta is a handful. A man who thrives on physical contact, he is the sort of striker who makes centre backs earn their wages over ninety bruising minutes. While Kolo Muani offers mobility and intelligence in transitional play, Mateta offers raw power and a relentless willingness to get himself in the mixer. It is a genuine fork in the road for the Juventus recruitment team. Do they pay the premium for the technically superior French international, or do they trust in a player who has proven his rugged effectiveness in the Premier LeagueThe reality is that Juventus are operating with a budget that is tight, and PSG know it. The longer this drags on, the more the pressure shifts. Squeaky bum time, as they say. If Juve blink, PSG get their price. If they walk away, the Parisians are left with an unhappy asset and a hole in their squad planning. Football can be a cruel business, and right now, it is a waiting game where the next move belongs to the Italians. Expect this one to run right down to the wire. Or, perhaps, expect a surprise announcement that Mateta is already packing his bags for Turin.
