Franck Kessie is poised to return to Italian football with Juventus, becoming a free agent from Al-Ahli within the next ten days, according to reports in Italy. The Ivorian midfielder has made his desire to play in Italy clear, stating he misses the country immensely after spending eight to nine years there earlier in his career.
Kessie recently rejected a substantial contract renewal offer from Al-Ahli, which would have seen him earn 12 million euros per season on a two-year deal. Despite the significant financial incentive, the player prioritizes a move back to Italy, citing a strong desire to compete in a project where he can play a central role, specifically under the management of Luciano Spalletti. He recently stated his focus is on the upcoming World Cup, with his club future to be determined afterwards.
Juventus initially expressed interest in Kessie in January, but timing proved difficult to finalize a deal with Al-Ahli and the player’s representatives. The club’s data analysis, focusing on metrics like touches in the opponent’s area, pass completion in the final third, and ball recoveries, has reinforced their positive assessment of Kessie’s potential contribution. Kessie demonstrated his form recently by scoring against Germany in a recent international match.
Juventus’s sporting director, Giovanni Carnevali, is reportedly a strong admirer of Kessie, believing he would address a need for a dynamic and experienced midfielder within Spalletti’s squad while also aligning with the club’s financial constraints as a free transfer. A formal meeting between Carnevali and Kessie’s agent is scheduled for mid-week in Milan, where the agent is also attending to other clients. Juventus are keen to avoid a protracted negotiation and have indicated Kessie will need to adjust his wage expectations, reportedly seeking a contract worth over 10 million euros annually, while Juventus are hesitant to exceed the salary of Kenan Yildiz.
