Kessie Ditches Saudi Cash for Serie A Dream? Juventus Prep Mega Free-Agent Swoop

Picture this: a powerhouse midfielder who's been stacking Saudi riyals like they're going out of fashion, suddenly putting the brakes on a juicy extension. That's Franck Kessié for you, the Ivorian destroyer who's got Juventus hearts fluttering back in Turin. As reported by Lorenzo Bettoni at Football Italia, citing Tuttosport, the ex-Milan and Atalanta star has parked contract talks with Al Ahli and is eyeing a Serie A comeback.

Kessié's deal in Jeddah runs out this summer, and he's given the cold shoulder to a two-year renewal. Why? Blame the siren call of Italy, apparently. Even if it means slashing his whopping €14m annual wage – ouch, that's a proper pay cut, lads.

From Desert Dollars to Turin Trails

At 25 – wait, make that 29, time flies – Kessié's been bossing the Saudi Pro League with Al Ahli, but the grass looks greener in Serie A. Juventus are leading the charge, ready to table a two-year deal at €5m net per season. His agent's been in deep chats with the Old Lady's suits, and the player's holding firm: no less than that figure.

It's not just Juve sniffing around, mind. Fiorentina tried a cheeky bid to yank him back to Florence in recent months, while Inter lurk in the shadows – they've fancied him for ages. Even Roma, under old mate Gian Piero Gasperini (who coached him at Atalanta), could gatecrash the party. Gasperini's rebuild needs midfield grunt, and Kessié fits like a glove.

Kessié's no stranger to big moves. He terrorised defences at Atalanta, then bossed Milan's Scudetto charge before jetting east. Now, at his peak, he's tempted by Europe's spotlight over Middle Eastern millions. Fair play if he does – who wouldn't swap supercars for Sunday pizza after the match?

Juve's Free-Agent Shopping Spree Heats Up

This isn't a one-off for the Bianconeri. They're casting a wide net for 2026-27 freebies, with preliminary yakking already underway for Bernardo Silva and Leo Goretzka. Imagine that trio: silky Portuguese flair, German engine room, and Kessié's relentless box-to-box bulldozing. Thiago Motta's midfield would be a beast.

But let's not get carried away. Kessié's agent, George Atangana, is playing hardball, and Saudi clubs don't let stars slip easy. Still, with his contract ticking down, the power's with the player. Juve fans, dreaming of that Scudetto push? This could be the bargain buy of the window.

Tuttosport reckons it's game on, and if Kessié bites, it'll be a proper coup. From Milan hero to Saudi export, now potentially Turin-bound – football's full of these plot twists. Grab your scarf; summer's shaping up tasty.