Juventus’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements has taken on a new dimension with the confirmation that Giovanni Carnevali and Frederic Massara have held direct conversations with the representatives of Leon Goretzka — the former Bayern Munich captain who, like Franck Kessié, is now a free agent. The meeting confirms that Juventus are approaching the midfield question with two distinct free-transfer options on the table simultaneously, evaluating both profiles before committing to either.
The Plan: Experience, Leadership, and Responsibility
The direction of Juventus’s midfield strategy is clear. Spalletti has been explicit about what he needs alongside Manuel Locatelli: a player of proven international experience who can bring genuine leadership inside and outside the dressing room, and who carries the physical and technical qualities to perform consistently in a demanding European season. The word that Carnevali used in his address to the squad on the first day of pre-season — responsibility — applies to the midfield recruitment brief as much as anywhere else.
Kessié: The Priority, but the Wages Need Resolving
Kessié has already made clear that Juventus are his absolute priority. The Ivorian, who has put all other approaches — including lucrative offers to return to Saudi Arabia — on standby, is asking for a three-year contract at €5 million net per season. Massara, the man who originally signed Kessié for AC Milan and who knows the player better than virtually anyone in Italian football, is taking his time before making a firm commitment. The figure requested is not unreasonable for a player of his quality and experience — but within the tight constraints of Juventus’s squad cost framework, it represents a significant commitment.
Goretzka: The Surprise Alternative with Elite Credentials
The second name now formally in the frame is Leon Goretzka, who left Bayern Munich at the end of his contract and is available at zero transfer cost. Massara is weighing the German international’s profile alongside Kessié’s as he assesses which option best fits Spalletti’s tactical requirements and the club’s financial model.
Goretzka brings an entirely different set of qualities to the table. Where Kessié offers physicality, intensity, and box-to-box dynamism, the German international is a more technically sophisticated midfielder — one capable of reading the game, arriving late into scoring positions, and contributing to the build-up with greater positional intelligence. His Champions League and Bundesliga pedigree is beyond question. The concerns, as noted earlier in the summer, relate to physical condition — his knee history has limited his availability in recent seasons — and whether, at 31, he can sustain a demanding Serie A and Europa League schedule from the very first match.
The Decision Is Massara’s to Make
The fact that Massara is assessing both options simultaneously rather than rushing to conclude either reflects the measured, deliberate approach that has characterised the new administration’s entire transfer operation. Both players are available now, both come without a transfer fee, and both could arrive on relatively accessible financial terms. The question is which profile best serves Spalletti’s specific tactical needs — and which individual, when placed in the dressing room, will have the greater impact on the culture and mentality of a squad being rebuilt from the ground up.
A decision is expected in the coming days.
