Franck Kessie reportedly prefers joining Barcelona instead of Real Madrid if he leaves AC Milan as a free agent next summer.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, the race to sign Franck Kessie on a free transfer in next summer’s transfer window has taken a new twist. The AC Milan midfielder favours a move to Barcelona on a Bosman move instead of Real Madrid if he calls it quits at San Siro.
Franck Kessie has established himself as one of the most reliable midfielders in Europe since arriving at AC Milan from Atalanta. Initially signed on a two-year loan deal in 2017, the Ivorian midfielder permanently joined the Rossoneri in July 2019. The move has worked out well for the club and the player, as it has coincided with their return to the UEFA Champions League.
To date, the 24-year-old has made 202 appearances for AC Milan, chipping in with 33 goals and 16 assists in the process. However, the Serie A giants are in a precarious position over his long-term future, as he is in the final year of his contract with the club. With developments over a renewal being slow, several clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have been keen on signing him on a Bosman move next summer.
The interest from Barcelona is understandable, considering Sergio Busquets is approaching the final phase of his career, while doubts are emerging over Frenkie de Jong’s future. To that end, Kessie is an ideal option for the Blaugrana, as he can be a long-term solution in the middle of the park for them.
On the other hand, the links with Real Madrid make sense, as Luka Modric is in the twilight of his career. In addition, recent reports have claimed that Casemiro could be on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu, thereby making him a viable target for Los Blancos.
However, according to El Nacional, Kessie prefers joining Barcelona instead of Real Madrid on a Bosman move next summer. Such a development comes as a direct contrast to claims from recent reports, which had suggested that the AC Milan midfielder favoured Real Madrid over Barcelona.
The reasoning for his decision is that he would feature more prominently at Barcelona and could be a central figure for the Catalan giants. So, even though Real Madrid can offer him a better sporting project, the 24-year-old appears to be favouring the prospect of receiving regular game-time over trophies. It remains to be seen if Barcelona can beat Real Madrid to Kessie’s signature.
