Juventus prepare first offer for Kessié and target Balogun
Quick summary
Juventus are preparing an opening offer for midfielder Franck Kessié and have identified AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun as a transfer target, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLa Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus are interested in USMNT striker Folarin Balogun and are preparing the first offer to sign Franck Kessié as a free agent.
Juventus have made just one summer signing so far, welcoming Italian winger Jeff Ekhator from Genoa, but new directors Giovanni Carnevali and Frederic Massara are working to give coach Luciano Spalletti more reinforcements.
Kessié agent’s demands for Juventus revealed According to Gazzetta, the Serie A giants are ready to send an offer to sign ex-Milan and Atalanta star Franck Kessié as a free agent.
The 29-year-old refused to sign a contract extension with Al-Ahli and is open to returning to Serie A, but his agent has demanded over €5m in signing bonus, Gazzetta claims.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 20: Franck Kessie #8 of Cote d’Ivoire celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D’Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani remains Juventus’ top target, but the Bianconeri have been in talks with the Ligue 1 giants for weeks and have threatened that they’ll walk away from negotiations if PSG don’t lower their demands.
According to Gazzetta, Monaco striker Folarin Balogun has emerged as an option for the Bianconeri, who are also keeping a close eye on Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino.
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 24: Mateo Pellegrino of Parma Calcio 1913 celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 24, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Athletic reported in June that Balogun is considering leaving Monaco this summer, with the French club’s asking price being €50m, making the USMNT star no cheaper than Kolo Muani.
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What happened
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are working on reinforcements ahead of the next transfer window. The club is preparing a first offer for Franck Kessié, who currently plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia after leaving Barcelona. Additionally, Juventus have set their sights on Folarin Balogun, the US international forward at AS Monaco, as a potential striking option. Both targets suggest Juventus are looking to strengthen both midfield and attack.
Chance analysis
Juventus targeting two players in very different contexts: Kessié would be a midfield reinforcement leveraging his Serie A experience from his time at AC Milan, while Balogun represents a younger, developmental forward option. Neither is a transformative signing individually, but combined they signal a squad-building strategy focused on the middle and front lines. Whether either deal materializes remains highly uncertain at this preliminary stage.
If completed, Kessié would add midfield depth while Balogun would provide a young striking option for Juventus, modestly improving their attack and squad rotation.
Monitor Juventus' midfield and forward reinforcements; neither signing is imminent but both targets affect their tactical planning for next season.