Juventus management has begun its early and serious preparations for the upcoming football season by identifying its priorities and potential targets in the summer transfer market. At the forefront of these targets, the Bianconeri have reopened negotiations to sign Ivorian star Franck Kessié, the Al-Ahli Saudi midfielder, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the midfield and restoring the team's prestige both domestically and in Europe.

According to the renowned Italian newspaper "Tuttomercato," Juventus has renewed its interest in signing "The President" – as he is nicknamed – due to the coaching and management staff's complete conviction in his immense technical and physical abilities. This move comes after close and continuous monitoring of the player's performances since the last winter transfer window, as he is seen as the missing piece in the "Old Lady's" squad.

A golden opportunity in the transfer market

Press reports indicate that Franck Kessié is a very attractive option for Juventus, primarily due to his contractual situation; he will become a free agent at the end of the current season. This presents the Italian club with a golden opportunity to sign a world-class player without incurring any transfer fee, aligning with the club's current financial policy of focusing on high-quality free agents.

Experience in Serie A gives Kessie the edge

What makes Kessie the ideal choice for Juventus is not just his contract situation, but his extensive experience in Italian football. The Ivorian international boasts a distinguished record in Serie A, having previously shone in the Atalanta jersey before making history with AC Milan and playing a key role in their Scudetto triumph. This prior knowledge of Italian football and its complex tactics means the player will need no time to adapt and will be ready to make an immediate impact thanks to his physical strength and tactical ability to link the lines.

A remarkable career with Al Ahly and historic achievements

On the other hand, Kessie's future with Al-Ahli remains uncertain, as his contract expires next summer. Despite reports of the club's strong desire to renew his contract to maintain team stability, the lure of a return to Europe could prove decisive. Kessie joined Al-Ahli in September 2013 from Barcelona in a deal estimated at €12.5 million and has since cemented his place in the club's history.

According to statistics, Kessie has played 104 matches for Al-Ahli, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists. He played a pivotal role in the team's historic first-ever AFC Champions League title, an achievement that reflects his immense talent. Al-Ahli continues its strong domestic form, having recently secured a resounding 5-2 victory over Al-Shabab in the 22nd round of the league, making it clear that letting go of a player of Kessie's caliber will not be an easy decision for the club's management.

The technical staff of Al-Nasr Football Club’s first team announced the official and final list of foreign players who will play in the anticipated match against Al-Fateh Club, scheduled to be held this Saturday evening, as part of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League competition.

The squad list brought welcome news for Al-Nassr fans, with the return of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the attack after missing the team's previous two matches. The return of the "Madeira Rocket" provides a significant morale and tactical boost for the team ahead of this crucial encounter, as the coach and fans are counting on his vast experience and clinical finishing to tip the scales in the team's favor.

Al-Nassr's foreign player list for the match against Al-Fateh

The list included a selection of international football stars whom Al-Nassr attracted to compete for all titles, and the names chosen for the match were as follows:

• Cristiano Ronaldo (team captain)
• Sadio Mane
• Joao Felix
• Kingsley Coman
• Marcelo Brozovic
• Mohammed Simakan
• Spaniard Martinez
• Choosing between Brazilian Pinto or Angelo

The importance of the match and the context of the competition

This match is of paramount importance to Al-Nassr, who hope to capitalize on the return of their captain, Ronaldo, and the full strength of their attacking force to secure three valuable points. The "Global" club aims to maintain pressure at the top of the league table, especially as the league has entered its decisive stages where dropping points is unacceptable. Victories in matches like these are crucial for competing for the league title and securing qualification for continental competitions.

On the other hand, Al-Fateh enters the match with high hopes of achieving a positive result, whether it be a win or at least a draw. The "Model Club" aims to solidify its position in the comfortable mid-table standings, capitalizing on its enthusiasm and desire to prove itself against the top teams. Historically, matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Fateh are characterized by their competitiveness and excitement, promising fans a thrilling encounter befitting the significant development witnessed in the Saudi League.

The presence of names of the stature of Ronaldo, Mane, and Brozovic in one lineup reflects the high market and technical value of the Roshan League, which has become the focus of the world’s attention, thus placing a double responsibility on the players to deliver a performance worthy of global and local expectations at the same time.

Senegalese international goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper of Al-Ahli Saudi Club, expressed his deep appreciation for the goalkeeping legends in the African continent, revealing the names that inspired him in his professional career, in official statements that highlighted an aspect of his sporting personality and his relationship with the fans of “Al-Raqi”.

Speaking on the club's official X platform, Mendy confirmed that legendary Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, nicknamed "The High Dam," is among the goalkeepers he considers his role models, along with Cameroonian Thomas N'Kono. Mendy's choice of these two names demonstrates his awareness of the history of African goalkeeping; El-Hadary holds world records for longevity and World Cup appearances, while N'Kono is known as an inspiration to many world-class goalkeepers, including Italy's Gianluigi Buffon.

Reflecting on the most memorable moments of his career with Al-Ahli, the former Chelsea goalkeeper recalled the historic triumph, noting that winning the AFC Champions League title was the most cherished and significant achievement. That night marked a turning point in the club's history, as Mendy led his team to a well-deserved 2-0 victory in the final against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, securing a continental title for Al-Ahli and solidifying their position on the Asian and international football map.

Mendy's career has not been without its challenges, as he mentioned facing a high-stakes "Clásico" that he considered the toughest while wearing the Al-Ahli jersey. He explained that the Saudi Super Cup match held in Hong Kong against arch-rivals Al-Nassr was a true football epic. The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw after regular time, before Mendy's teammates prevailed in the penalty shootout, reflecting the strength of the competition and the development of Saudi football, which has begun to travel the world and host its tournaments in major international cities like Hong Kong.

The former world's best goalkeeper concluded his remarks with an emotional message to "the Madmen," the affectionate nickname of Al-Ahli's fans, describing them as the team's primary and most essential supporters. Mendy said, "I don't think there are words to describe them. Since I arrived here, they have been the undisputed best." These statements underscore the pivotal role Al-Ahli's fans play in motivating the players, as the Al-Ahli stands are known to be among the most vocal and influential in Arab and Asian stadiums.