Kessie emerges as Roma's answer to Juventus rivalry
Transfer News·18 July 2026·1d ago

Kessie emerges as Roma's answer to Juventus rivalry

Source: Forza Roma

Roma could move to sign Franck Kessie as a midfield option, particularly if Manu Koné departs, according to reporting. The Ivorian midfielder recently left Al-Ahli on a free transfer and is known to both Roma sporting director Massara, with whom he won the Serie A title at Milan in 2022, and head coach Gasperini, who developed him at Atalanta. Kessie's availability on a free transfer and his existing relationship with Gasperini make him an attractive prospect for the midfield position.

The potential move would represent Roma's latest involvement in a longstanding competitive history with Juventus. The clubs have clashed over players repeatedly: Capello, Spinosi and Landini in 1970; Zbigniew Boniek in 1982; Antonio Cassano in 2002; Capello again with Emerson and Zebina in 2004; and more recently Miralem Pjanic, Aleksandar Vucinic, Juan Iturbe and Radja Nainggolan. Roma have also been linked with Juventus forward Francisco Conceição, the 23-year-old winger whose dribbling and physical presence could suit Gasperini's attacking requirements.

The rivalry between the two Serie A giants has produced numerous controversial transfers and negotiations over decades, making any potential deal for Kessie part of an ongoing pattern of competition for talent between Rome and Turin.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Come potrebbe "vendicarsi" adesso la Roma? Difficile pensare che i giallorossi possano andare a dar fastidio a qualche giocatore bianconero, anche se uno che potrebbe interessare c'è e si chiama Francisco Conceiçao, il folletto 23enne che potrebbe fare al caso di Gasp nella ricerca di giocatori…

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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