Roma prepared to outbid Juventus for free agent Kessie
Quick summary
Roma are ready to make a contract offer to free agent Franck Kessie that exceeds what Juventus are prepared to table, escalating the battle for the midfielder's signature.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceJuventus are still hoping to conclude a deal to bring free agent Franck Kessie back to Serie A, but reports on Friday claim that Roma are prepared to offer the Ivory Coast international a bigger wage packet in order to lure him to the capital.
Where Roma and Juventus stand with Kessie Kessie has been linked with a potential move to Juventus for much of the summer, and recent reports claim that there is already an offer of a two-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months on the table.
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) Friday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport add that Juventus are willing to pay Kessie €7m in wages over a two-year period (€3.5m per season), but that the Bianconeri are not prepared to increase their proposal.
The Bianconeri are expecting to hear back with a response from Kessie and his entourage within the next few days.
Meanwhile, reports over the last few days suggest that Roma are also interested in offering Kessie a return to Serie A and La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that they are willing to offer more than Juventus in order to get the deal done.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that Kessie is not driven by the financial side of a deal given that he has just come off a lucrative three years in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.
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) Roma do have another advantage, though, in the form of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who brought Kessie to Atalanta back in 2015 and gave him his first opportunities in the Italian top flight.
Still, La Gazzetta dello Sport hints that Juventus might still be Kessie’s preference, although nothing can be ruled out at this stage.
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What happened
Franck Kessie, currently unattached after leaving his previous club, is at the centre of a bidding war between two of Serie A's biggest clubs. Roma have signalled their willingness to outpay rivals Juventus in order to secure the Ivorian midfielder on a free transfer. The financial terms being discussed by both sides remain undisclosed, but Roma's readiness to push beyond Juventus's offer underscores how highly they value Kessie's experience and physicality in midfield. A decision is expected in the near term as the player weighs up his options.
Chance analysis
Franck Kessie remains a coveted asset despite his free agent status, and the willingness of two of Italy's traditional heavyweights to compete for his services underlines the midfielder's enduring market value. Roma's readiness to eclipse Juventus financially signals a clear strategic intent to strengthen their engine room with proven Serie A quality, while Juventus face the prospect of missing out on a player who could have added steel and experience to their midfield. The outcome will hinge on Kessie's own preferences regarding playing time, project ambition, and wage package, but Roma appear to hold the initiative heading into the decisive stage of negotiations.
Roma closing a deal for Kessie would significantly bolster their midfield, while Juventus missing out would leave a gap in their summer recruitment plans.