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.

Al-Ittihad's Serbian goalkeeper, Predrag Rajkovic, has ignited early excitement ahead of the highly anticipated Saudi Arabian football derby against arch-rivals Al-Hilal. His fiery remarks came after his team's hard-fought victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League, sending a strong message to the league leaders.

Rajkovic led Al-Ittihad to a valuable 2-1 victory over Al-Fayha at Al-Inma Stadium on Friday evening in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri scored his first league goal for Al-Ittihad in the 36th minute, before Zambian Fashion Sakala equalized for Al-Fayha. However, defender Hassan Kadash became the hero, scoring the decisive winning goal seven minutes before the final whistle.

A message of defiance before the Clasico match

In televised remarks following the match, Rajkovic dismissed any suggestion of fear in facing league leaders Al-Hilal, confidently stating, "We will fight and we will go for the win. We are not afraid; we are the champions from last season, and we are still the champions." These words underscore Al-Ittihad's desire to defend their title, despite the significant points gap this season.

The goalkeeper spoke about the physical difficulties the team faced against Al-Fayha, pointing to the impact of playing a tough match just three days earlier against Al-Gharafa of Qatar in the AFC Champions League, stressing that the most important thing in such circumstances is to collect the three points regardless of the performance.

The importance of El Clásico and the league standings calculations

The upcoming derby in the 23rd round takes on paramount importance that transcends mere three points; it represents a historic clash between the two giants of Saudi football. Al-Ittihad, currently in sixth place with 37 points, aims to close the gap and improve their position to secure an Asian Champions League spot, while Al-Hilal sits comfortably atop the table with a 16-point lead over Al-Ittihad. This makes the match an opportunity for Al-Ittihad to prove themselves and halt Al-Hilal's winning streak.

Al-Ittihad fans are counting on the fighting spirit the team showed in the final minutes against Al-Fayha, in addition to the harmony of the new winter signings such as Youssef En-Nesyri, to present a different face in the Clasico and reconcile with the fans after the fluctuating results in the past period.