Kessié open to Atalanta return as Juventus talks collapse
Quick summary
Franck Kessié is reportedly ready to rejoin Atalanta after negotiations with Juventus broke down, with the Ivorian midfielder available this window.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceIn a surprising twist, multiple reports claim Franck Kessie is on the verge of a return to Atalanta, after talks with Juventus were abandoned.
The midfielder is a free agent after his experience with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, and has been eager for a comeback in Serie A.
Negotiations with Juventus were at an advanced stage until they broke down over personal terms and the signing-on bonus that his entourage was looking for.
Atalanta swoop in for Kessie JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 25: Franck Kessie of Al Ahli celebrates after teammate Feras Al-Brikan (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the AFC Champions League Elite Final match between Al Ahli and FC Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City on April 25, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Roma were expected to step up their pursuit , but instead Atalanta swooped in for a return to Bergamo, where he effectively started his European career after leaving the Ivory Coast in 2015.
There were also spells with Cesena, Milan and Barcelona before moving to Al-Ahli in 2023, but it is a return to Atalanta after his €32m sale to the Rossoneri in the summer of 2019.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 18: Franck Kessie of Al Ahli controls the ball during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Fayha at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on April 18, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Sky Sport Italia were first to break the news of this fresh negotiation with La Dea, followed by confirmation from the likes of Fabrizio Romano and La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Kessie turns 30 in December and already made 31 appearances for Atalanta, scoring seven goals with four assists, after graduating from their youth team.
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What happened
Franck Kessié, currently at Al-Ahli after leaving Barcelona, is said to be willing to return to Atalanta, where he first made his name in Serie A. Reports indicate that Juventus held talks to sign the Ivorian but those negotiations have now been abandoned. Atalanta, who face a competitive midfield battle and are active in the market, could now have a clear path to bring the former AC Milan stalwart back to Bergamo. Kessié would bring Champions League and top-flight experience to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad.
Chance analysis
A potential Kessié return to Atalanta carries real narrative weight — the Ivorian was one of Serie A's most dominant box-to-box midfielders during his time at Atalanta and later AC Milan. Juventus dropping out simplifies the picture and gives Atalanta a chance to reinforce a midfield that will be tested across domestic and European competition. Whether Kessié, now 28 and playing in Saudi Arabia, can recapture his peak form is the key question, but the fit and familiarity with Gasperini's system make this a plausible move.
A Kessié return would boost Atalanta's midfield options and experience, while Juventus shift focus to alternative transfer targets.