- Comolli changed terms, PSG furious
- Juventus forced to pivot towards Openda
- Tottenham land striker on straight loan
PSG are reportedly furious with Juve director Comolli after the collapse of Kolo Muani’s transfer to Turin. According to L’Equipe PSG had agreed terms with Juventus for a loan deal worth €30 million (£25m/$32m), with a further €10m in bonuses linked to Champions League qualification. Kolo Muani himself was eager to return, having spent last season on loan in Turin where he scored 10 goals in 22 appearances.
However, just as the deal was on the verge of completion, Comolli is said to have altered the agreement, something PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi viewed as disrespectful and a breach of trust. With negotiations collapsing, Tottenham moved quickly to secure the France international on a season-long loan, announced on deadline day.
The saga has sparked tensions between PSG and Juventus, with Al-Khelaifi said to be enraged by Comolli’s handling of the talks. For Juve, the breakdown forced them to turn elsewhere, eventually landing Lois Openda instead. The fallout also reflects the increasingly strained transfer-market dynamics between Europe’s elite clubs, where last-minute changes and tactical bargaining can backfire badly.
For Spurs, the opportunity was indeed a major coup with Thomas Frank’s side have been looking to bolster their forward line ahead of a Champions League campaign, and Kolo Muani’s versatility, able to play centrally or out wide, gives Spurs both depth and quality. The move also represents another blow to Juventus’ recruitment strategy, after missing out on a striker who had already settled well in Turin.
Behind the scenes, the collapse of the deal has left lasting scars with PSG’s version of events suggests that Comolli “changed the rules of the game” and switched from an expected €60m (£51m/$65m) obligation-to-buy package to a lighter loan-plus-bonus structure. This undermined PSG’s valuation and left them scrambling on deadline day.
Meanwhile, Kolo Muani’s relationship with Juve seemed primed for renewal. He had already spoken with coach Igor Tudor several times by phone, discussing tactical plans and his role for the season. Reports indicate he was enthusiastic about returning to Italy and frustrated by the sudden derailment.
Instead, Tottenham swooped in after PSG offered the player to Premier League clubs in a rush to place him. Both Aston Villa and Newcastle expressed interest, but Kolo Muani pushed for Spurs, where he will wear the shirt in a straight loan deal with no option to buy, a structure PSG actually preferred.
For Spurs, Kolo Muani’s arrival adds valuable firepower and flexibility just as they prepare for their Champions League return. For PSG, the fallout could prove costly in the longer term, both in terms of finances and relationships. Having failed to extract their desired package, they now face a season with Kolo Muani out on loan and lingering tension with Juventus.
