Key Takeaways:
- Juventus have renewed their interest in signing Al-Ahli midfielder Frank Kessie and are considering a January bid
- Kessie, whose current contract with Al-Ahli runs until 2026, earns €14 million annually and would need to accept a pay cut to join Juventus
- The Ivorian international has lifted the 2024-25 AFC Champions League and 2025-26 King’s Super Cup with Al-Ahli
Possible Return to Serie A for Kessie
Juventus are intensifying their pursuit of Frank Kessie as they seek to secure his signature during the January transfer window. The Bianconeri, having previously targeted the Ivorian international during the summer, are eager to strengthen their midfield options. Kessie, who is under contract with Al-Ahli until 2026, is reportedly interested in a return to European football, further fuelling speculation around a potential move to Turin.
❗️Franck Kessié has once again been linked with Juventus.
He would love to return to Italy, but his huge €14M salary at Al-Ahli makes any deal extremely difficult.
Juventus appreciate his profile, yet a move can only happen if Kessié accepts a major pay cut.
— @Gazzetta_it pic.twitter.com/aq3uKQZ48j
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuveEN) October 15, 2025
Salary Remains Major Obstacle
Kessie currently earns €14 million per year at Al-Ahli. The Saudi side would prefer to sell him during the January transfer window rather than allow him to leave on a free transfer upon contract expiry. For a deal to materialise with Juventus, Kessie would be required to accept a significantly reduced salary, a factor that stands as a primary hurdle in negotiations.
| Frank Kessie: Recent Clubs and Achievements | Key Details |
|---|---|
| AC Milan (2021-22) | Won Serie A (Scudetto) |
| Barcelona (2022-23) | Won La Liga in debut season under Xavi |
| Al-Ahli (2024-26) | 2024-25 AFC Champions League, 2025-26 King’s Super Cup winner |
Kessie’s Career Highlights and Recent Success
Kessie made a major impression at AC Milan, playing a significant role in the club’s 2021-22 Scudetto triumph. He subsequently joined Barcelona on a free transfer and claimed the La Liga title during his first season under the management of Xavi. Despite these successes, Barcelona parted ways with the midfielder, selling him to Al-Ahli as part of their efforts to fund the acquisitions of Rafinha and Jules Kounde. Since his move to Saudi Arabia, Kessie has enjoyed further silverware, contributing to Al-Ahli’s victories in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League and the 2025-26 King’s Super Cup.
Midfield Reinforcements and Future Prospects
Juventus are seeking to add depth to their midfield after unsuccessful attempts to sign Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand in the summer. The emergence of Khephren Thuram has provided some stability, though with increasing interest from Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Arsenal, Juventus face a challenge to retain the Frenchman. In this context, Kessie is seen as a valuable target to reinforce the squad.
The Turin-based club hope the lure of playing European football once more, combined with an opportunity for further Serie A success, will convince Kessie to accept a lower wage package and make the switch back to Italy.
