Liverpool are reportedly preparing a €22m bid for Atalanta’s breakout star Franck Kessie to trump Juventus, Manchester United and other suitors.
Football Italia have reported that, as per reports from Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Liverpool are preparing a summer bid for Atalanta’s teenage superstar Franck Kessie. The Reds have been interested in the 19-year-old for a while now and have been monitoring the player’s performances and development.
Now, the reports indicate Klopp and his side are prepared to turn their interest into a transfer offer with a €22m bid in the summer of 2017.
Franck Kessie is a 19-year-old Ivory Coast international who is having his breakout season in the Serie A. The player spent the last season on loan at Cesena, but has now become an integral part of the first-team setup at Atalanta and has become one of the cornerstones of the club’s stellar form this season.
Kessie has recorded a good return of 5 goals and 2 assists to his name in the Serie A, an admirable haul given the fact that player has been predominantly deployed in the defensive midfield position, while also being used as a central midfielder sometimes.
Kessie has been on the radar of top European clubs like Juventus, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Juventus were thought to be in pole position to land Kessie despite Chelsea planning to trump others to the 19-year-old, but he has previously stated his desire to one day play for Manchester United.
As per recent reports, Klopp has really been impressed with Kessie’s pedigree to perform when required. Even though the player has been under scrutiny for his lack of discipline, amassing 4 yellow cards and a straight red in only 13 Serie A games this season, the Reds are prepared to move to secure the player’s services with a €22m bid at the end of the season.
One could argue that, being deployed in the position that Kessie has been, the cards that the player has accumulated should not be too much of a surprise. In fact, it may show his willingness to do the dirty work for the team when required.
A summer move is perhaps the best option, with Atalanta looking to challenge for European places this season after a magnificent start to their current campaign.
And come 2017, Liverpool’s seemingly inevitable involvement in European competitions will also require a bigger squad and Kessie would serve as a more than able reinforcement to their midfield.
It would be interesting to see if other clubs also decide to follow Liverpool in the summer and compete for the player’s signature, but the Ivory Coast international seems set for big things in the future.
