Juventus’ long-standing struggle for a reliable goal scorer has resurfaced, with club legend Massimo Mauro pointing to Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen as the missing piece in the Turin side’s attacking puzzle, just as Real Madrid are also reportedly keeping tabs on the striker.

Despite remaining in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot, Juventus’ lack of firepower has drawn increasing criticism. After 15 Serie A matches, the Bianconeri sit fifth on 26 points, seven adrift of leaders Inter Milan, having scored just 19 goals. Only eight of those have come from open play, underlining concerns about creativity and cutting edge in the final third.

Mauro believes the statistics expose a deeper structural flaw: the absence of a dominant centre-forward capable of lifting the team in difficult moments. In his view, Osimhen fits that profile perfectly.

“They need a Napoli-style Osimhen—a driving force who can carry the team and make the difference,” Mauro told Football Italia. “Juventus have solid players, but they lack someone who changes games.”

Osimhen had been on Juventus’ radar during the summer transfer window, but Napoli refused to strengthen a domestic rival. When the striker eventually left Naples, the Italian champions sanctioned a record-breaking move to Galatasaray, inserting a clause that bars Osimhen from joining Juventus for two years—effectively ruling out a return to Serie A before 2027.

Unable to land the Nigerian, Juventus signed Jonathan David on a free transfer from Lille and brought in Loïs Openda on loan from RB Leipzig. However, neither has significantly improved the club’s goal output, especially with Dusan Vlahovic sidelined by injury.

Meanwhile, Osimhen’s reputation continues to soar. Now at Galatasaray, he has hit top form, scoring his 12th goal of the season in a 4-1 away win over Antalyaspor. Six of those goals have come in just four Champions League appearances.

The striker remains a cult hero in Italy after firing Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years in 2023, finishing as the league’s top scorer and becoming the first African to win the Capocannoniere.

Speculation around Juventus has intensified further following the arrival of Luciano Spalletti in Turin—the same coach who oversaw Osimhen’s historic Napoli campaign.

However, with Italy temporarily blocked, attention may shift elsewhere. Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring Osimhen, with former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh claiming insiders told him the striker could move to the Spanish giants as early as next summer, should Vinicius Junior depart.

For now, Osimhen continues to pledge full commitment to Galatasaray, but Europe’s elite are clearly watching.