Juventus are close to reaching an agreement with Barcelona over the transfer of Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian giants want to take Kessie on a season-long loan deal, but they will retain an option to make his stay permanent for around €10-15 million plus bonuses.
There is already an agreement in principle between Juventus and Barca, but negotiations are still ongoing, with both parties looking to iron out the final details of the transfer.
Barca are open to parting ways with Kessie this summer, especially with Juventus looking to cover the player’s entire salary.
His potential departure will lift a burden off Barca’s wage bill, but the player still needs to be convinced about a move to the Allianz Stadium.
Kessie only arrived at Spotify Camp Nou last summer, but he has been repeatedly linked with an exit after finding playing time hard to come by under Xavi Hernandez’s leadership.
The 26-year-old remains keen to earn a spot in the first team and could take some convincing to join Juventus, especially after rejecting a move to Inter Milan in January.
Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is currently in the United States and reportedly pulling every string possible to convince Kessie to move to Turin.
The former AC Milan man will be an upgrade to Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield, especially with Paul Pogba spending most of his time in the treatment room.
Kessie is accustomed to the Italian top flight, having played a prominent role in Milan’s Scudetto-winning campaign before cutting ties with the seven-time European champions.
Barca and Juventus were scheduled to face off in a pre-season friendly two days ago, but the match was called off after a virus affected the Blaugranas.
Guintoli is expected to attend the friendly encounter between Arsenal and Barca on Thursday, specifically to watch Kessie in action despite following the player’s progress since his days at the San Siro.
