Transfer market: Franck Kessié, future still uncertain

Free since the end of his adventure in Saudi Arabia, Franck Kessié still doesn't know where he will play next season. A return to Serie A is being considered, but nothing is certain yet for the Ivorian midfielder.

It's crunch time for Franck Kessié! Clubless since the end of his contract with Al-Ahli Saudi, the 29-year-old midfielder is taking his time to choose his next destination. The only certainty: it'll be in Europe.

A return to Europe three years later

Franck Kessié has never hidden his desire to return to Europe. The Elephants star shone in Barcelona's colors in 2022-2023 (3 goals, 3 assists in 43 games) before deciding to head for Saudi Arabia.

With Al-Ahli, he enjoyed three strong seasons, netting 26 goals and providing 15 assists in 119 matches. But with the Saudi league losing some of its allure—despite once being the new Eldorado for football's biggest names since Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr, followed by stars like Neymar, Cancelo, Neves, Mané, Koulibaly—Kessié has set his sights on a return to the Old Continent.

Italy, the perfect fit for his style

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Ouragahio native is being tracked by two Italian giants: Juventus and AS Roma. If he joins either club, it would be the fourth Italian side of his career after Cesena, Atalanta Bergamo, and AC Milan.

After showcasing his abilities with Atalanta, Kessié was snapped up by AC Milan, where he lived the best days of his career—scoring 37 goals and delivering 16 assists in 223 matches across all competitions, and lifting the Scudetto in 2021-2022.

Why does Italy seem like the right choice for Kessié? A strong ball-winner who likes to take his time building up play, Serie A is a league that perfectly matches his skillset. It's an environment he knows inside out and where he can truly thrive.

A successful adventure at Al-Ahli Saudi

In three seasons with Al-Ahli Saudi, Franck Kessié played 119 matches, tallying 26 goals and 15 assists. Alongside Riyad Mahrez, he claimed the Asian Champions League title twice—an impressive feat for both him and his team!

Now, Kessié's goal is to join a top 5 European club and, why not, return to Champions League nights. This could tip the scales towards AS Roma, as Juventus failed to qualify for Europe's premier competition next season.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

Related teams and leagues

Ivory Coast

Serie A Italy