Juventus consider surprise midfield swoop | OneFootball

Franck Kessié’s potential return to European football has come into sharper focus, with Juventus among the clubs closely monitoring his situation, as reported by Bianconera News referencing Corriere dello Sport. The 28-year-old midfielder, who has spent the past two seasons with Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, is seen as being open to a move back to the continent at this stage of his career.

While Al Ahli have valued Kessié as an important player, his recent performances have not fully met expectations. This, combined with a contract set to expire in 2026, has encouraged the Saudi club to reconsider their stance. According to Corriere dello Sport, a transfer that previously seemed very unlikely is now viewed as plausible by Al Ahli’s management, opening the door to potential negotiations.

Juventus, led by sporting director Comolli, have begun eyeing Kessié as a possible target to strengthen their midfield, though the process is still at an early stage. There have been no formal offers or advanced talks, but Comolli’s readiness to accelerate discussions suggests Juventus are weighing their options seriously. For now, the situation is being described as the “primissime fasi” – the very initial phase – of what could develop into a full-scale transfer pursuit.

Kessié’s profile as a physically robust and tactically flexible midfielder fits the type of player Juventus are keen to add to their squad, especially given their current efforts to refresh and reinforce the midfield line. The Bianconeri are also tracking other targets in the same area, but the possibility of Kessié’s availability gives them a fresh alternative on the market.

Any formal negotiations will depend on further signals from Al Ahli and the player’s camp, with Juventus pausing at this stage to gauge whether a deal can be structured within their transfer budget. There are no indications yet of the fee Al Ahli might ask, but the contract situation and the club’s newfound openness could facilitate a transfer.

For Kessié, a return to Serie A would mark a notable comeback after his stints in both Spain and Saudi Arabia. As things stand, while the links between Kessié and Juventus are real, the process remains at an exploratory level and there is no imminent agreement.