Franck Kessié has opened the door to a return to Italian football — and with it, a potential move to Juventus — in comments made to Sportitalia from within the stadium in Philadelphia, where his Ivory Coast side had just beaten Ecuador thanks to a goal from Diallo.
The midfielder, who will turn 30 in December, left Serie A in 2022 when he departed AC Milan for Barcelona, subsequently moving on to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Now, with his contract in the Gulf drawing to a close and a final decision on his future expected after the World Cup, the prospect of a Serie A comeback is very much alive.
Kessié’s Own Words
Speaking directly on the subject of a possible return to Italy, Kessié was characteristically open when asked about his future: “A return to Italy? Of course, of course. I can play anywhere — the market is open. I can play in Italy, but also outside Italy. Even in Saudi Arabia. Right now I am focused only on the World Cup.”
It is precisely the kind of statement that will encourage Juventus. The player has not committed to anything, but he has made clear that no door is closed — including the one marked Serie A.
The Juventus Connection
As reported previously, Juventus made initial contact with Kessié’s representatives earlier in the window, with the club identifying him as a potential free-transfer midfield reinforcement — particularly relevant should either Teun Koopmeiners or Marcus Thuram depart to generate funds this summer. With his Al-Ahli contract expiring on 30 June, Kessié is available at zero cost, and his wages — while significant — represent a manageable outlay compared to the fees that would be required to sign an equivalent profile from the open market.
His World Cup performances with Ivory Coast will inevitably shape the nature of the competition for his signature. A strong tournament — and the Elephants have begun it well — could attract interest from clubs beyond Serie A. For Juventus and new chief executive Giovanni Carnevali, the smart move may be to move quickly and decisively before Kessié’s stock rises further.
