Roma’s higher wage bid challenges Juventus for Kessie in Serie A

Roma are prepared to offer the free‑agent Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie a wage package that exceeds Juventus’s proposal, as reports on Friday indicate the capital club will top the Bianconeri’s €7 million two‑year offer to lure the player back to Serie A.

Juventus have put forward a two‑year contract for Kessie with an option to extend for a further twelve months. The Italian giants propose €7 million in wages, split as €3.5 million per season. They have not indicated any willingness to raise that figure.

Despite the fixed offer, Juventus remain keen to conclude a deal that would bring Kessie back to Serie A. The club expects a response from the midfielder and his representatives within the next few days. Their interest has persisted throughout the summer.

Where Roma and Juventus stand with Kessie is now the focus of Italian football headlines. Both clubs are weighing the financial and sporting aspects of the deal.

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Roma are also eager to sign Kessie and, are prepared to offer a wage package larger than Juventus’s. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who gave Kessie his Serie A debut at Atalanta in 2015, is a key factor in the capital club’s appeal. The club believes the midfielder’s familiarity with the coach could accelerate his integration.

Kessie recently completed a lucrative three‑year spell with Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, suggesting financial terms are not his primary motive. On JUNE 20, 2026, the Ivory Coast international, also known as Cote d’Ivoire’s Franck Kessie, scored his nation’s first goal in the World Cup 2026 Group E match against Germany at Toronto Stadium in Ontario. The photograph of the celebration was taken in Toronto, ONTARIO.

If Roma succeed in matching or surpassing Juventus’s offer, they could secure a player familiar with their coach and add depth to their midfield for the upcoming season. Conversely, a Juventus agreement would see the Bianconeri retain a former Serie A talent without increasing their wage bill. The next few days will determine which Serie A side Kessie joins.