MD: Barcelona plan January move for AC Milan star
Barcelona have joined the race for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie. The Ivorian becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Franck Kessie is one of Barcelona’s main transfer targets for next season. After losing Georginio Wijnaldum who ended up at Paris Saint-Germain, the Blaugrana were left without signing a strong physical central midfielder but that will be fixed next summer.
PLAYING EVEN WITHOUT HAVING RENEWED – Franck Kessie is not renewing his contract with AC Milan and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The 24-year-old continues to be a regular starter in Sefano Pioli’s eleven despite refusing to extend his contract with the Rossoneri.
Undeterred by this uncomfortable situation the Ivorian remains an important player for Mr. Stefano Pioli and for the team. A baffling situation for Barcelona who when had to deal with a similar issue, with Ilaix Moriba, preferred to push him out of the squad and sell their midfielder to the highest bidder.
MANY CLUBS INTERESTED – Mundo Deportivo reports that Kessie is aware of having several important clubs following him. In addition to Barcelona there are also Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Inter, Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. Ronald Koeman, coach of the Catalans, would like to include in his team as soon as possible a player with the characteristics of Kessie, able both to break the opponents game and restart actions. Furthermore, Kessie is a specialist on penalties and has removed from the penalty taker role at Milan a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Sources close to Barcelona say that the Spanish club have around €16 million ready to use to complete the deal in advance. Barca will try to avoid the high competition for Kessie and aim to make a move in January. A €16 million fee could be tempting for AC Milan who will lose their player for free at the end of the season. Otherwise that figure will be paid as commissions to his agent, George Atangana.
Meanwhile, the Rossoneri are planning for life after Kessie and have already identified the ideal successor. Nevertheless, after losing Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu on free transfers, letting another leave for nothing would be a big blow for the club’s budget.
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