Juventus Keep Searching for a Striker Despite Kolo Muani Return
Juventus continue their striker search after Kolo Muani's return, with Joshua Zirkzee and Mateo Retegui among the options under review.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Updated on 20 August 2026
Juventus have brought in Randal Kolo Muani this summer, yet Luciano Spalletti is still hoping to add another centre-forward before the transfer window closes.
The arrival gives the Bianconeri another option up front, but it hasn’t closed the book on Juventus’ attacking rebuild.
Reports continue to link the club with Joshua Zirkzee and Mateo Retegui as they assess further alternatives.
Kolo Muani’s Permanent Juventus Return Explained
Kolo Muani is back in Turin on a permanent deal, completed in early August for a fee in the region of €38m plus add-ons.
He previously spent six months on loan at Juventus in the first half of 2025, scoring 10 goals across league and cup competitions.
He then joined Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan for 2025-26 before Juventus moved to bring him back for good this summer.
Why Juventus Are Still Looking For Another Striker
Kolo Muani’s arrival addresses one need, but not the entire attacking equation.
Dusan Vlahovic has departed on a free transfer, Lois Openda has been sent out on loan, while Jonathan David and Arkadiusz Milik are not expected to be part of Spalletti’s plans.
Juventus cannot add another forward until David’s future is resolved, since his departure is required to create room for a new attacking option this summer.
Jeff Ekhator has also arrived, while other names, including Parma forward Mateo Pellegrino, have featured among the alternatives considered by the club.
Zirkzee Remains Juventus’ Leading Striker Target
Joshua Zirkzee is Juventus’ first-choice alternative. The club have sounded out the Manchester United forward’s availability and enquired about potential terms, while Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth has also been linked.
The Dutchman previously starred for Bologna under Thiago Motta but has struggled to establish himself in the Premier League, making 26 appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist during the 2025-26 season.
Manchester United value Zirkzee at €35-40m and are open to creative deal structures, while his salary is reported to be within Juventus’ budget.
Napoli have also been credited with interest in the 25-year-old, adding competition to Juventus’ pursuit.
Retegui Emerges As Juventus’ Fresh Striker Alternative
Mateo Retegui’s name has re-emerged in Juventus discussions, with Tuttosport reporting that the Italy international is under fresh consideration at the Allianz Stadium.
Retegui is well known to Spalletti from his time coaching the national team and is highly regarded by sporting director Marco Ottolini, who brought him to Serie A from Argentina in 2023 while working for Genoa.
The obstacle is financial. Retegui joined Al-Qadsiah from Atalanta in a €65m deal last summer and earns a reported €20m per season, with two years remaining on his contract.
Any Juventus move would most likely take the form of a loan, and while convincing Retegui to join isn’t expected to be the main issue, his salary could prove a bigger stumbling block.
What Happens Next For Juventus’ Striker Search
Juventus have added Kolo Muani and Ekhator, but the club is still considering a further centre-forward because of the changes to its attacking options.
Zirkzee and Retegui remain among the names linked with a move to Turin, alongside Sorloth.
Any further move depends on David’s departure, which is required before Juventus can bring in another attacking option this summer.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Ginevra Cattaneo grew up in Bologna with a football shirt on her back and a match playing somewhere in the background at all times. From backyard arguments about whether Maldini or Baresi was the greatest ever to staying up late watching Champions League nights, the game has always been at the centre of her life. She brings that same passion and familiarity to everything she writes, covering Serie A, Italian football culture, and the rapidly growing world of women's football in Italy.
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