Kessie confident: ‘I would be a great signing for Juventus’ | OneFootball

Franck Kessie tells Juventus that he would be ‘a great signing’ for them, especially as a free agent after leaving Al-Ahli. ‘My agent is working on it, we’re receiving a lot of calls.’

The midfielder is certainly no stranger to Serie A, because he came to the Atalanta youth academy in 2015, then had experiences with Cesena and Milan before joining Barcelona in 2022.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 25: Franck Kessie of Al Ahli celebrates after teammate Feras Al-Brikan (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the AFC Champions League Elite Final match between Al Ahli and FC Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City on April 25, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Just a year later, he moved to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League and his contract is due to expire on June 30.

There have been reports linking the 29-year-old with a return to Italian football for Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus, so when participating in the 2026 World Cup with the Ivory Coast, he spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Kessie sells himself to Juventus

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 29: Franck Kessie of Al-Ahli Saudi reacts during the AFC Champions League Elite Semi Final between Al Hilal and Al Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on April 29, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

“I did see the talk about Juventus,” said Kessie.

“I am focused only on the World Cup, but I will just say one thing: I would be a great signing. I’m in good shape, I’m playing at the World Cup, and above all I am a free agent, so what more could you ask for?!

“This is why so many clubs want me, and they are right! But for another five days, I am still a player of Al-Ahli. After the Round of 16, we’ll meet up and I can tell you something else.”

Juventus and Atalanta have shown interest in the midfielder, who scored 41 goals with 16 assists in 204 Serie A appearances during his career.

“My agent is working on it, we’re receiving a lot of calls, and that’s to be expected. I too would sign me at these conditions, both physically and financially!” grinned Kessie.

The main issue is the salary, which would be €4-5m per season, but still accepting a gigantic cut from his current wages worth a reported €14m per year with Al-Ahli.