​Juventus are emerging as the leaders in the pursuit of Franck Kessie from Al Ahli, with Italian transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla pinpointing sporting director Ricky Massara as the pivotal factor tipping the balance in the Bianconeri’s favor. According to Get Italian Football News, Massara has a direct, working relationship with Kessie from his time at Milan, and he maintains strong ties to the midfielder’s agent. That rapport stands as a clear advantage that predecessors in Juventus’ sporting structure, including Damien Comolli and Cristiano Guintoli, could not claim. Pedulla adds that Massara had also tried to facilitate a move for Kessie to Roma during his subsequent tenure there, underscoring a long-standing personal interest in the player that now carries meaningful weight at Continassa.
Juventus did initiate talks with Kessie’s representatives back in January, but those discussions occurred under the club’s prior leadership framework before Massara joined. The dynamics have since changed significantly, and the sporting director’s direct line to Kessie’s camp lends a renewed, credible approach that the earlier outreach lacked. Kessie, who is currently with Al Ahli, is a familiar figure to Serie A fans thanks to his five seasons with Milan, meaning a potential return would come with minimal adaptation risk compared to a first-time move to Italian football. His blend of physical presence and box-to-box energy aligns with the profile Juventus have been pursuing in a midfield purchase.
The lingering question is whether Kessie would be open to leaving Saudi Arabia for a return to Serie A. The primary source indicates that this remains an open consideration, with no disclosed financial terms or contract length at this stage. What Pedulla’s reporting makes clear is that if Juventus decide to push forward with genuine intent, Massara is uniquely positioned to make the strongest, most persuasive case to the player and his representatives. That capability to present a compelling argument directly to Kessie’s camp is what places Juventus ahead of potential rivals, creating a credible pathway to a deal should the club decide to advance decisively.