Author: Barkha Roy
In a significant development in the summer transfer window, FC Barcelona and Juventus are said to have closed a deal for Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie. According to reliable sources, La Gazzetta dello Sport and SPORT have confirmed that the two clubs have reached an agreement in principle to facilitate the transfer.
The possible transfer had been on the radar for some time, with Juventus expressing an interest in the 26-year-old midfielder. Initially planned to be discussed during a pre-season meeting in the United States, the meeting between the two giants had to be canceled due to a virus outbreak among the FC Barcelona squad, causing disappointment for fans who had already bought tickets for the event at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The cancellation of the friendly, which could have given Juventus an up-close look at Kessie, didn’t stop the clubs from going ahead with the transfer. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the deal involves an initial loan of Kessie to Juventus, followed by a compulsory purchase fee ranging from 10 to 15 million euros (11 to 16.6 million dollars).
The deal now depends on Juventus’ ability to secure personal terms with the midfielder, who was initially reluctant to return to Italy due to his history with Juventus’ rivals AC Milan. Kessie would prefer to stay in Catalonia or consider a move to the Premier League or Saudi Arabia.
However, recent events have softened Kessie’s stance, and he seems more open to a return to Serie A. This transfer suits all parties involved, especially FC Barcelona, who are short of cash, as it allows them to take Kessie’s €6 million (US$6.6 million) annual salary off their payroll while navigating Financial Fair Play limits and registering new players. In addition, the deal represents an opportunity for Barcelona to receive a fee for a player they acquired for free in 2022, further easing their financial situation.
On the other hand, Kessie will be joining Juventus, a club that has shown great interest in him and where he is expected to get more playing time at one of Europe’s biggest soccer clubs. With the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri, Oriol Romeu, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong as midfield alternatives, FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez had already explained to Kessie that getting minutes in the 2023/2024 season would be a challenge.
The transfer represents a win-win situation for both FC Barcelona and Franck Kessie. While Barcelona can benefit financially and open up space in their team, Kessie has the opportunity to play a prominent role in Juventus’ midfield. The clubs will now finalize the terms to complete the transfer, marking an important transfer move for next season.