AS Roma have entered the race for Ivorian midfielder Frank Kessié, complicating Juventus's prolonged chase for the player. The news, reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport and carried by Yahoo Sports, comes as Daniele De Rossi's side sits top of Serie A with a perfect start to the season.
Roma, first in the league with 3 points, 4 goals scored and 0 conceded, have shown strong interest in Kessié. This market move represents a significant twist in Juventus's plans, as the Turin club has been tracking the player for a long time. Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini knows Kessié well from their time together at Atalanta and would not mind adding a veteran with a large salary.
Why Juventus must make room
Juventus need to free up squad space and financial resources to make a move for Kessié happen. The main obstacle, described as the primary 'Gordian knot', is the situation of Teun Koopmeiners. The Bianconeri must find a solution for him, as well as for Jonathan David and Nicolas Gonzalez. Juan Cabal and Arkadiusz Milik are also potentially for sale. Meanwhile, Juventus have already completed several outgoings this week, including the transfer of Mattia Perin to Palermo for €500k and the departure of Michele Di Gregorio.
What are the alternatives for Roma
The interest in Kessié comes after Roma skirted the threat from Manchester United for Manu Koné. The Red Devils completed their midfield with the signing of Carlos Baleba, but other sides could still be keen on the Frenchman. Neil El Aynaoui's situation is described as more precarious. A move for Kessié would mark a shift in strategy for Roma, who have not signed a veteran on bloated wages for a while. The next league fixture, away to Lecce, will be another test for a team with high ambitions.
What this means for Roma's transfer market
This interest in an experienced player indicates a desire from the club's management to strengthen the midfield with personality and quality. Dusan Vlahovic and Fabio Miretti will move to Besiktas on loans with conditional obligations to buy, but Roma are looking at a different profile. With Donyell Malen as top scorer with 3 goals in 1 appearance, the attack is already firing. The midfield, however, could benefit from Kessié's experience. Fans can follow the evolution of the squad on our squad page and check the updated league position in the standings.
The pursuit of Kessié is further complicated by interest from Saudi sides, including Al-Ittihad. Juventus have just acquired goalkeeper Kamil Grabara on a temporary formula with a €12 million acquisition clause, but their main target remains the Ivorian midfielder. Roma, with their interest, have cast a shadow over Juventus's plans. The situation is fluid and the coming week could be decisive, especially with a busy schedule of matches visible on our fixtures page.
