Ivory Coast's World Cup dream came to a painful end as they were beaten in a comeback defeat to Erling Haaland's Norway, falling at the round of 16.
One of the standout performers throughout that run was former AC Milan midfielder Kessie, now of Al-Ahli, whose name has been strongly linked with Juventus.
Kessie had already addressed the speculation in recent days, suggesting any club that signed him would be getting a bargain.
After the Norway defeat, he was in no mood to dwell on transfer talk, but he opened up briefly to Dazn.
"Whether I return to Italy next year? It's difficult to talk about that today, the market is long. We've just come out of a long season. Right now we're thinking about resting.
"Do Juventus fans like me? I don't know, we'll have to see, the market is long."
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport a few days earlier, Kessie had been more forthcoming.
"Juventus? Yes, yes, I know it's being talked about, I've seen it. I'm only thinking about the World Cup, but I'll add one thing: I'm a great signing. In form, at the World Cup, and above all a free agent, it's hard to ask for more! That's why so many want me, and they're right to! But for a few more days I'm an Al-Ahli Jeddah player.
"After the round of 16 match we'll talk and I'll tell you something. My agent is working, there are plenty of calls, and again, that's normal: I'd sign myself too in this physical and financial condition!"
Juventus are also exploring the goalkeeper market, with chief executive Giovanni Carnevali refusing to rule out a move for Tottenham's Vicario.
The Italian goalkeeper is considered a cheaper alternative to Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, and his name is gaining momentum as a potential new Juventus number one.
Carnevali addressed the situation at the official opening of the summer transfer window.
"Martinez is an important player and suited to the Juventus profile. But I won't hide that we're following other options too. There's talk of Vicario and he's a profile that could interest us. Today we don't have any need to close a deal immediately. We'll also need to find people who want to play for Juventus."
Vicario, for his part, looks set to leave Tottenham after the club moved to sort out their goalkeeping options, officially completing the signing of Martin Dubravka before extending Antonin Kinsky's contract.
That leaves the Italian as the north London club's third-choice goalkeeper, and a summer exit now appears increasingly likely.