Tuttosport: Juventus to meet with Kessié's agent this week, midfielder wants Italy return

According to Tuttosport, Kessié hopes to return to Italy, and Juventus will hold their first official meeting with the player's agent this week.

Kessié's intention is clear: he wants to return to Italy to prove himself again, as it is where he earned the nickname "President". Currently, it seems almost impossible for him to continue playing in Saudi Arabia, and he will leave as a free agent in about ten days.

Oil money also failed to change Kessié's decision. A few weeks ago, the Ivorian midfielder rejected a lucrative renewal offer from Al-Ahli, who were willing to offer a two-year contract with an annual salary of 12 million euros to keep him in Jeddah. Kessié revealed after the loss to Germany: "I really miss Italy. When I left Ivory Coast, I went directly to Italy and stayed there for 8 to 9 years. The future? I'm thinking about the World Cup now, and then we'll see what happens." In other words, nostalgia for Italy prevailed, and he is also interested in Spalletti's tactical plans, as he would be a key player there.

Initial contact between Kessié and Juventus dates back to mid-January, when Kessié himself offered his services to the Bianconeri. However, there was too little time for all parties then, and Juventus failed to reach an agreement with Al-Ahli on a transfer fee, nor did they finalize terms with the player. Even though Kessié was willing to take a significant pay cut at the time, the situation did not change. Kessié earned a total salary of up to 42 million euros in Saudi Arabia, or 14 million euros net per season. Since then, both sides have left the door open for "further discussions," and Darmian-Comolli particularly appreciated the algorithmic assessment of Kessié's potential impact: from touches in the opponent's penalty area, to successful passes in the attacking third, to winning back possession, and the ability to find good positions in the box to shoot. The match against Germany is an example, as Kessié scored, helping his team break the deadlock.

Changes in Juventus's management have not altered the club's assessment of Kessié. Carnevali highly values him, and for good reason, because Kessié meets both Spalletti's technical requirements – Spalletti is looking for a midfielder with personality and international experience – and Juventus's financial needs, as he can join on a free transfer.

However, both sides now need to move from the exploratory stage to substantive negotiations, putting demands and conditions on the table. Kessié is seeking a contract with a double-digit annual salary, while Juventus cannot exceed Yildiz's salary. Carnevali's first official meeting with Kessié's agent is expected to take place this week, when the agent will be in Milan for a series of meetings with other clients. Juventus cannot afford to waste time in a prolonged negotiation. If Kessié truly wants to join Juventus, he needs to prove it with action, significantly reducing his salary demands. Both sides need to be straightforward from the outset.

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