In the midst of one of the most eventful weekends in recent Juventus history — Kolo Muani confirmed, Alajbegovic officially signed, Adžić leaving for Sassuolo, Joao Mário heading to Fiorentina — a further significant development has emerged on Sunday evening regarding the midfield. Franck Kessié, now a free agent, has made his position entirely clear: Juventus are his absolute priority and he has placed all other offers on hold whilst awaiting confirmation from the bianconeri.
A Statement of Intent That Changes the Negotiating Landscape
The significance of Kessié’s decision cannot be understated. A free agent of his quality and experience — a Scudetto winner, a World Cup veteran, a player with Premier League offers and several more from across Europe on the table — choosing to freeze those conversations in favour of waiting for one specific club is an extraordinary act of commitment. It also, crucially, changes the dynamics of the negotiation itself. When a player this openly declares his preference and his willingness to wait, the club holds a degree of leverage it might otherwise lack.
The outstanding issue, as has been the case throughout, is wages. Kessié’s demands — a package that combines salary and signing bonus in a total figure Juventus consider above their ceiling — have not yet found a meeting point with the club’s offer. But with the player himself having removed competing alternatives from the equation, the conversation now takes place in an entirely different atmosphere.
What Happens Next
For Carnevali and Massara — currently travelling with the squad on the Asian tour — the coming days will need to produce movement. Kessié will not wait indefinitely, and rivals will not remain patient if they sense the door is opening. The window is also advancing: with the competitive season approaching, the club needs to resolve its midfield situation before the training camp environment is replaced by competitive fixtures.
The Massara factor — the deep personal trust between the former Milan sporting director and his most celebrated midfield signing — gives Juventus the best possible chance of finding the compromise that neither side has yet reached. Tonight, the player has shown his hand completely. Now it is Juventus’s move.
