Negotiations between Juventus and Franck Kessié have hit a dead end after the former Al-Ahli player rejected the financial terms offered to him, dimming the prospects of a move to Turin before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening.
Juventus management has been searching for a midfielder to provide head coach Luciano Spalletti with greater experience and quality. However, time constraints and elevated market prices make negotiating a marquee signing with another club a complex endeavor.
The dispute with Kessié centers on salary, performance bonuses, and particularly the signing-on fee. His demands began at roughly €8 million net per season, whereas Juventus’ offer hovered around €4.5 million on a two-year contract with an option to extend, without a final agreement reached on performance incentives.
Spalletti’s primary internal option involves relying more heavily on Douglas Luiz and Teun Koopmeiners, alongside Manuel Locatelli, Khéphren Thuram, and Weston McKennie—especially following Fabio Miretti’s loan move to Beşiktaş. The manager supports retaining Douglas Luiz, while Koopmeiners could receive a fresh opportunity to prove his worth.
Externally, Youssouf Fofana—currently out of Milan’s plans—emerges as a potential loan target with an option to buy, possibly structured as a player exchange between the two clubs. Additionally, Marcelo Brozović, available as a free agent following his departure from Al-Nassr, presents the fastest and least complicated alternative in terms of transfer fees.
Juventus completed several permanent signings this summer, including Jeff Ekhator, Zeki Çelik, Kerim Alajbegović, Randal Kolo Muani, and Jhon Lucumí, along with acquiring goalkeeper Kamil Grabara on loan and triggering the buyout option for Jérémie Boga for approximately €4.8 million. Nevertheless, the central midfielder remains the missing link in the club’s transfer window.
