Franck Kessié returns to Serie A but takes everyone by surprise: after Juventus, Roma is also left empty-handed

The race for Franck Kessié has come to a most surprising conclusion. After days of negotiations, rejections, counteroffers, and sudden twists, Atalanta has officially announced the Ivorian’s return, completely turning the tables at the last minute on a scenario that seemed all but set to land him at Roma. On Saturday afternoon, Atalanta announced on its social media channels the arrival of the midfielder, born in 1996, finalizing a deal that no one had expected just a few hours earlier.

Atalanta’s move came just before the announcement, when the Bergamo-based club initiated direct contact with the player’s representatives to explore the possibility of a return to Bergamo. It was an idea that came about suddenly but quickly became a reality thanks to the club’s determination and the push from Cristiano Giuntoli, now Atalanta’s transfer chief.

The turning point came immediately after Kessié’s “no” to Juventus. The Bianconeri were convinced they had met the player’s demands across the board: a two-year deal worth 4.5 million euros per season, including bonuses, with an option for a third year. Even the issue of the signing bonus—which had initially been a sticking point—had been resolved. The former Milan player, however, pulled the plug at the last moment, catching the Bianconeri management off guard and leaving Juventus without the reinforcement that Spalletti considered a priority.

Roma remains the other big loser in this saga. The Giallorossi had kept in touch with the player and were banking above all on the presence of Gian Piero Gasperini on the bench, who had coached him in Bergamo during the 2016–2017 season—the very season that launched him toward Milan. The Grugliasco-born coach had personally tried to convince Kessié, reiterating his respect for the player and his willingness to bring him back under his guidance. But Atalanta’s swift and unexpected move closed every door.

Kessié’s return to the Nerazzurri is thus one of the most surprising moves of the final days of the summer transfer window. Atalanta welcomes back a player who had left a deep impression, while Roma must recalibrate its strategies and Juventus is forced to look elsewhere with very few days remaining.