Spalletti: Alajbegovic and Kolo Muani Infuse Juventus with Enthusiasm

Luciano Spalletti discussed Juventus' strong desire to bring Randal Kolo Muani back to the club and confirmed Kerim Alajbegovic joins "with enthusiasm" after previously considering Chelsea.

The Bianconeri are slated to face Chelsea in a pre-season friendly. This match could be somewhat awkward for Alajbegovic, who was reportedly close to joining Chelsea just days before his transfer to Turin was finalized.

A key factor in Alajbegovic's decision was the playing time offered. While he would have had to compete for opportunities in London, Juventus could guarantee a more significant role from the outset.

Spalletti Anticipates an Improved Juventus Squad

Spalletti shared his thoughts on the new signings during a press conference: "He is a young and interesting player, someone the director had already scouted last season and was very keen to acquire."

Frederic Massara, who recently joined Juventus this summer, previously served as the sporting director at Roma until a few weeks ago.

In addition to Alajbegovic, Juventus has also secured the return of Kolo Muani. The striker had been actively seeking to rejoin the Turin club since his initial loan spell in January 2025.

"It's always an advantage to have players who arrive with genuine enthusiasm," Spalletti added.

"We are familiar with them and have been monitoring their progress. The squad is now stronger on paper, and our focus will be on finding the right team balance. I am pleased with the club's efforts."

While Spalletti is a relatively new figure, Kolo Muani is already well-acquainted with many of his current teammates from his previous tenure at the club.

"Everyone in the dressing room has spoken highly of him as an exceptional young individual, and we all understand his capabilities as a player on the field."

Juventus has been very active in the transfer market. However, their business is not yet concluded, as they are still looking to strengthen their squad with another striker, a defender, and a goalkeeper.

"I have complete confidence in the directors," Spalletti stated. "They understand that there are a couple of situations we still need to resolve, which is why they are diligently working to capitalize on any remaining transfer opportunities."

The arrival of Alajbegovic also brings into question the current fitness levels of Kenan Yildiz. Yildiz experienced a recurring knee issue at the end of last season, which significantly impacted his performances for Turkey during the World Cup.

"We will assess his condition and determine if he can participate for a few minutes against Chelsea. However, his recovery is progressing as anticipated."