Juventus explore signing free agent Franck Kessié

Franck Kessié has become one of the names Juventus are weighing up as the transfer window enters its final stretch. The Ivorian midfielder, a free agent after severing ties with Saudi side Al Ahli, has caught the eye of Luciano Spalletti, and the Turin club is reportedly already making moves to try to bring him on board.

• Kessié is a free agent after leaving Al Ahli and has turned down several offers in recent weeks.
• Al Ittihad tried to lure him with a very lucrative financial package, but the midfielder is holding out for Juventus.
• Juventus first need to trim their midfield ranks before they can register him.
• Koopmeiners and Miretti are the two players most likely to make way.
• Kessié already knows Serie A well from his spells at Milan and Atalanta.

Why Kessié is waiting on Juventus instead of signing elsewhere

Since becoming a free agent, Kessié has fielded interest from several clubs, including a big-money offer from Al Ittihad. Despite the financial appeal, he has reportedly chosen to resist that pressure because his real priority is a return to Italy, specifically to Juventus. That stance suggests the sporting project in Turin matters more to him right now than a simple pay rise in the Middle East.

The roadblock Juventus must clear before completing the deal

The move isn't just down to the player's willingness. Juventus currently have a surplus of midfielders and need to free up space before they can officially bring in a new one. Two names are under the spotlight as possible departures: Teun Koopmeiners and Fabio Miretti, both mentioned as candidates to leave before the window closes. Only once one of them exits can the club finalise the paperwork to register Kessié.

What Kessié would bring to Spalletti's midfield

Beyond the numbers game, Juventus' interest reflects a specific profile Spalletti wants to balance his side. Kessié is known for his physical power, his ability to cover huge amounts of ground during matches, and the experience to switch seamlessly between defensive duties and forward runs into the box. He's a versatile midfielder who could add much-needed steel to a squad aiming to compete on multiple fronts.

Kessié's history in Italy and his time at Barcelona

Kessié wouldn't be arriving as a stranger to Italian football. Before his move to Barcelona, he made 254 appearances between Milan and Atalanta, a period in which he established himself as one of Serie A's most complete midfielders. His stint at Barcelona, featuring in 43 matches during the 2022/23 season with three goals and three assists, never quite took off, which may explain his desire to reclaim a starring role in a league he already knows inside out.

What this signing would mean for Juventus' project

For a club looking to close the gap in the race for major trophies, adding a player with Kessié's experience and track record could provide an immediate boost. Spalletti would gain a versatile option capable of giving his system fresh legs and different tactical solutions, while Kessié would get the chance to reignite his career in surroundings that have already proven successful for him.