Kessié: Roma make their move, but Juventus keep the upper hand

Franck Kessié is a free agent. That is the whole issue, and also the whole appeal.

The 29-year-old Ivorian midfielder has been without a club since the end of his Saudi adventure with Al-Ahli. No transfer fee is therefore required, which makes him a particularly attractive opportunity in the final days of the Italian transfer window.

Juventus moved first

Discussions concern a two-year contract with an option for a third season, worth around 4.5 million euros net per year, potentially with bonuses added on top. Luciano Spalletti is particularly fond of his profile: power, experience and the ability to hold down a top-level midfield.

Turin have long had to wait for departures in order to free up wage space. Fabio Miretti has gone out on loan to Beşiktaş with a buy option worth around 12 million euros, but the case of Teun Koopmeiners, notably because of his salary, remains an important issue to manage.

Roma try their luck

Roma are taking advantage of this situation to try their luck. Gian Piero Gasperini knows Kessié very well, having given him his breakthrough at Atalanta during the 2016-2017 season, and would like to bring the Ivorian midfielder back into his squad. Roma's management have also made contact with his entourage.

But Juventus retain a major advantage.

Kessié is reported to have given his word to the Bianconeri. The latest information indicates that the player continues to favour Turin, even though no contract has yet been signed. Roma therefore represent a real threat, but they still have to convince a player who appears to have already made his choice.

A return full of meaning

A return to Serie A would also carry particular significance for Kessié. After leaving AC Milan as a free agent in 2022, the Ivorian went through FC Barcelona before moving to Saudi Arabia. At 29, he could now return to the league that first revealed him at the highest European level.

For Juventus, the deal presents an obvious advantage: bringing in an experienced midfielder for free, capable of immediately providing physical impact and personality.

For Roma, the equation is different: they would need to convince Kessié to go back on the verbal agreement made with Turin and find the financial conditions to complete the deal.

Nothing has been signed yet. But with Roma pushing and Juventus retaining the player's preference, the final days of the transfer window could prove decisive.