Franck Kessié signs directly for former love after talks with Juventus collapse

Franck Kessié has had a remarkable day. The free-agent Ivorian was on his way to Juventus, but the talks collapsed this morning. A few hours later, Kessié agreed a deal with his old love Atalanta, who have since unveiled him with great pride.

After three years at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Kessié wanted to return to Europe, where he had previously enjoyed huge success. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder became a star at AC Milan and then spent four years at Barcelona.

As Ivory Coast captain, he won two major trophies with Al-Ahli. In both 2025 and 2026, the side managed by current Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle won the AFC Champions League. Kessié also added the Saudi Super Cup in 2026 to his CV.

On Saturday morning, Sky Sport Italia reported that Kessié would definitely not be joining Juventus despite lengthy negotiations. The holding midfielder was not satisfied with €4.5 million net per year, and the two sides also failed to agree on a commission for his agents.

According to Sky , Atalanta were not on Kessié's radar at all. But once the first contact was made, his signature was on a brand-new contract running until mid-2029 "within a few hours".

That means Kessié suddenly returns to the club where he came through the youth academy and made his breakthrough in professional football. In the summer of 2017, Atalanta received €32 million when they sold him to Milan. He will now reunite at Atalanta with club legend Marten de Roon.

When De Roon left Atalanta for Middlesbrough in 2016, the move opened the door for the then-young Kessié. He made such an impression that Milan signed him after just 31 matches. Atalanta then brought De Roon back from England after only a year.