Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move to sign AC Milan and Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie in the January transfer window.
According to a report from SPORT, Barcelona are weighing up the possibility of signing a new midfielder in the January transfer window with AC Milan mainstay Franck Kessie emerging as an option.
The 24-year-old Kessie has been with AC Milan since the summer of 2017 when he signed from fellow Serie A club Atalanta. Having initially arrived on a two-year-long loan deal, the Ivorian made his move to San Siro permanent in the summer of 2019. To date, he has made 191 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 30 goals and setting up 15 more.
Kessie enjoyed one of his best seasons last time around, as he played an integral role in helping Milan finish second in Serie A and return to the UEFA Champions League. However, the 24-year-old is staring at an uncertain future with Stefano Pioli’s side as he has entered the final year of his contract.
Talks over an extension have not gone as per plans with the two parties not agreeing on the wages, resulting in speculations over the future of Kessie. A number of top clubs across Europe are vying for the signing of the Milan midfielder. Barcelona, too, had been linked with a potential Bosman move for him next summer, but are now said to be considering signing him in January itself.
Barcelona were keen on adding a new central midfielder during the summer transfer window. They had done a lot of groundwork to secure the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum after his contract with Liverpool had run out. However, the Netherlands international made a last-ditch U-turn to sign for Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona, thus, remained with just three senior midfielders in Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Sergio Busquets and have had to rely on teenage prospects Gavi and Nico Gonzalez in the early parts of the season. While Gavi has performed exceptionally, he still lacks experience and overusing him could lead to fitness issues in the future, as is being seen with Pedri in the ongoing campaign.
As a result, manager Ronald Koeman is keen on signing another central midfielder in January. And Kessie, given his powerful box-to-box presence, would fit the profile of the player that the Dutchman is looking for. The 48-time capped Ivory Coast international’s contract situation means he would be available on the cheap in January as well.
So, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona do launch a swoop for the 24-year-old midfielder in the winter window or look at other options such as Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic.
