Alexander Sorloth’s future at Atlético Madrid is under renewed scrutiny as the Norwegian striker struggles to regain form following a persistent muscle injury.

With the January transfer window approaching, reports indicate that Juventus is monitoring the situation as they look to bolster their attacking options, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

A difficult start to the season

The current campaign has not unfolded as expected for the former Villarreal standout. After returning to training under Diego Simeone on August 2, Sorloth suffered a muscle contracture during his first week of work. While initially viewed as a minor setback, the injury sidelined him for nearly two months, with the striker only making his return to action on October 5.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that a prolonged injury hampered the player’s start to the season and his physical preparation. His recent performances have drawn criticism, particularly after he was substituted during a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Metropolitano.

During a subsequent loss to Barcelona, he struggled to make an impact, with local supporters expressing frustration after he was out-jumped in an aerial duel by the shorter Pau Cubarsí.

Juventus seeks attacking reinforcements

As the Serie A side looks to secure a Champions League qualification spot, the club is reportedly searching for a traditional center-forward to support their current rotation. According to Eurosport.it, Juventus is evaluating several profiles for the winter market, including Mateo Retegui, Folarin Balogun, and Sorloth.

The need for a striker has become more pronounced due to ongoing fitness concerns within the Juventus squad. With Nico Gonzalez and Kenan Yildiz facing absences, and the recovery of Ekhator ongoing, the team has relied on Kolo Muani and Woltemade.

La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that the club has struggled with efficiency in front of goal, scoring 15 times in the league, a tally that leaves them trailing several competitors in total output.

Juventus struggles with low scoring and squad injuries

The club’s offensive struggles are highlighted by a comparative lack of productivity; the Roma has scored more than double the goals of Juventus (31 to 15), while even Monza, currently third from bottom, has managed 17. Beyond the attack, Juventus is exploring a move for a left-back, with Cabal expected to leave and Ait-Nouri targeted for a loan from Manchester City, as he is currently seeing very little playing time in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, the squad continues to deal with a high volume of injuries, leading to discussions on the team’s fitness management. During a recent analysis on the YouTube channel Tuttosport, analysts Paolo Pirisi and Lorenzo Aprile noted that the frequent absences have become a recurring issue, with Aprile quipping, Mi viene in mente il meme del ‘Basta, il mio lavoro qui è finito’.

Looking toward the December milestone

His previous success remains a point of interest: after 12 goals for Real Sociedad following his 2021 loan from Leipzig, Villarreal invested in him, receiving 23 league goals in return. He later scored 20 league goals for Atlético despite starting only 15 matches.

As Simeone experiments with other options like Julian Alvarez, Jonathan David, Lookman, Baena, and Kang-in Lee, the striker is set to turn 31 on December 5. As the transfer window nears, his ability to prove his fitness and effectiveness in the coming weeks will likely determine whether he remains a part of the plans in Madrid or seeks a new challenge in Italy.