[JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - APRIL 25: Franck Kessie of Al Ahli celebrates after teammate Feras Al-Brikan (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League Elite Final match between Al Ahli and FC Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City on April 25, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - APRIL 25: Franck Kessie of Al Ahli celebrates after teammate Feras Al-Brikan (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League Elite Final match between Al Ahli and FC Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City on April 25, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)](https://football-italia.net/juventus-push-kessie-free-thuram-knee-issues/) Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram is dealing with knee problems, which will force him to miss the entire pre-season, so the Bianconeri are now pushing to sign Franck Kessié as a free agent, but hope the ex-Milan star will lower his demands.
Ivory Coast international midfielder remains on Juventus’ radar, and according to Gazzetta, the Bianconeri have progressed negotiations for the 29-year-old in recent weeks.
Juventus continue Kessié talks
Kessié refused to sign a contract extension with his previous club, Al-Ahli, so he’s available as a free agent, but Gazzetta claims that Juventus are unwilling to match his salary demands.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 20: Franck Kessie #8 of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 20: Franck Kessié #8 of Cote d’Ivoire celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D’Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
According to the report, Kessié is intrigued by the prospect of joining Juventus, but has demanded a salary between €5m and €6m and a substantial signing bonus for himself and his agent.
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 25: Khephren Thuram of Juventus FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Khephren Thuram of Juventus FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Juventus will continue negotiations with the ex-Milan star in the coming days, especially because one of their midfield stars, Thuram, is dealing with a knee problem that will force him to miss the entire pre-season.
The Frenchman has patellofemoral pain syndrome, so he’ll train separately for the entire summer, hoping to be eligible to play in September.
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