Journalist explains how Juventus missed out on Franck Kessie | OneFootball

One of the biggest shocks in the transfer market in recent days was Franck Kessie’s decision to return to Atalanta this summer, despite spending weeks waiting for Juventus to sign him.

The Ivorian returned to Europe from the Saudi Pro League, and Juventus quickly approached him to gain his approval for a move as a free agent. Despite receiving offers from several other clubs, including a lucrative proposal from the Saudi Pro League, he waited for the Bianconeri and remained keen to join them.

The Old Lady asked him to wait while they made sales and freed up space in their wage budget. After doing so, however, they still could not offer Kessie a contract that he believed was good enough.

As expected, he turned it down and waited for Juventus to return with an improved offer, or so it seemed. Instead, Atalanta agreed a contract with the midfielder and added him to their squad as a free agent.

Kessie chooses Atalanta

Kessie will now compete for La Dea, while journalist Paolo Paganini was surprised by the unexpected outcome. The developments appear to have caught those following the situation off guard, particularly after the player had waited for Juventus for so long.

Paganini attempted to explain what happened via Tuttojuve, revealing that he had expected talks between Kessie and Juventus to continue.

He said:

“A clarification on Kessie going to Juventus.

“Up until 12:16 AM last night, I had been told there was a meeting with the agents today. Then, whether Kessie refused during the night, or because he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or didn’t have breakfast, I haven’t yet ascertained that.”

(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Juventus miss out again

Paganini’s comments underline how suddenly the situation appears to have changed. Juventus had remained interested in Kessie, while the player had seemingly been prepared to wait for the Bianconeri to make their move.

Instead, the midfielder will now begin a new chapter with Atalanta, leaving Juventus to consider other options. His decision represents an unexpected conclusion to a transfer saga in which the Bianconeri appeared to have held the advantage for much of the summer.

For Kessie, the move provides a chance to continue his career with Atalanta after returning to Europe. For Juventus, meanwhile, missing out on the midfielder is another unexpected development as they continue to shape their squad.