Franck Kessié is seeking a return to Serie A with Juventus, after three years at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, according to reports in Italy. The Ivorian midfielder’s current contract with Al-Ahli is set to expire on June 30th, making him a free agent this summer.
Kessié joined Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023, reportedly earning around €14 million per year, following a previous spell at Barcelona which did not fully meet expectations. Despite the financial benefits of playing in Saudi Arabia, Kessié is now prioritizing a return to competitive European football. Juventus have been monitoring the player since the time of Fabio Paratici, and his agent reportedly offered his services as early as January, although any deal would involve a significant reduction in salary for the player.
Initial skepticism surrounding Kessié’s potential return to a top European league dissipated following his performances at the recent World Cup. Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti reportedly watched Kessié play for Ivory Coast during the tournament, and was impressed by his physical impact and performance in matches against Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao. Kessié even scored against Germany during the competition. At 30 years old, Kessié believes he has at least three more years at a high level and is keen to re-establish himself in Serie A, having previously won the league title with Milan.
Juventus are not the only Italian club interested in Kessié, with Atalanta also monitoring the situation. Atalanta are seeking a replacement for midfielder Musa Barrow, who has returned to Milan after a loan spell, and manager Maurizio Sarri is a long-time admirer of Kessié. However, Atalanta may struggle to meet Kessié’s wage demands, which are reported to be between €4 and €5 million per year. Juventus are currently assessing their midfield options and need to make decisions on several players, including Locatelli, Thuram, and Miretti, before pursuing Kessié. Spalletti has reportedly given Kessié a positive assessment, noting his leadership qualities and ability to drive forward from midfield, characteristics the team currently lacks.
