Juventus have begun laying the groundwork for a potential future move by reopening talks over Franck Kessié, with the club holding an initial meeting with the Ivorian midfielder’s agent in recent days.
According to Fabrizio Romano, who revealed the development on his YouTube channel, representatives of the Bianconeri met with George Atangana, Kessié’s agent, to discuss the player’s situation and explore possible scenarios. The meeting was described as exploratory rather than decisive, with no immediate transfer on the table.
Romano made it clear that the operation is not one for the short term.
“It’s not an operation for today, it’s not for January,” he explained, pointing out that Kessié currently has a significant contract renewal offer from Al Ahli, who are keen to retain him in Saudi Arabia.
The Italian journalist added that the midfielder’s next step will not be dictated purely by money.
“He’ll have to make a lifestyle choice,” Romano said, referring to the decision between continuing his career in Saudi Arabia on a high salary or returning to European football.
Within this context, Juventus have positioned themselves as interested observers. The meeting allowed the club to signal their interest, assess the player’s intentions, and gain clarity on potential financial requirements and timelines. Atangana is understood to be in contact with several European clubs, with Juventus now firmly part of the conversation.
For now, any concrete discussions have been pushed to a later stage. A January move has been ruled out, while the summer transfer window could present more realistic opportunities, including the possibility of a free transfer.
