Report – Juventus Face Stiff Competition in Race to Sign Ex-Serie A Midfielder | OneFootball

Atalanta have reportedly joined Juventus in the race to sign Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie from Al-Ahli. According to Sport Mediaset via Calciomercato, La Dea are looking to reunite with their former star after the World Cup.

Kessie left Serie A in 2022, swapping Milan for Barcelona after refusing to extend his contract at San Siro. However, the move didn’t pan out, as the 29-year-old failed to lay his marker at Camp Nou. Little did he know that the Blaugrana would cast him out after just one year, forcing him to settle for the riches of the desert.

With his career in Europe’s top-five leagues drawing to an unceremonious ending, Kessie chose a lucrative contract in Riyadh over several low-profile offers. Fast forward three years, and he could return to Serie A, with Juventus and Atalanta reportedly vying for his signature.

Our take on Juventus & Kessie

It’s no secret that Juventus are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements. Teun Koopmeiners could part ways with the Bianconeri after another disappointing season, while Khephren Thuram’s future at the club looks uncertain.

Meanwhile, head coach Luciano Spalletti has identified several potential candidates to strengthen his squad. Kessie’s name sits near the top of Spalletti’s shortlist, with the Ivorian seemingly determined to leave the Saudi Pro League after the World Cup.

However, Atalanta could hijack the midfielder’s move to Turin, especially now that Cristiano Giuntoli has been appointed as the new sporting director. Giuntoli wanted to sign Kessie during his stint at Juventus, but his effort in 2023 came a cropper.

Now, he appears ready to reignite his interest in Kessie, setting up a direct battle with his former side. In the meantime, Juventus remain interested in Inter outcast Davide Frattesi, but they are likely to miss out on him to Nottingham Forest.