Barcelona have reportedly taken a step towards securing the services of 25-year-old AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie in the summer.
According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Franck Kessie is inching closer to joining Barcelona on a Bosman move in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old AC Milan midfield powerhouse has already verbally agreed to join the Blaugrana, who will attempt to iron out the important details soon.
Franck Kessie has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A since joining AC Milan from Atalanta. While the Rossoneri had an obligation to sign him permanently at the end of his two-year loan spell in July 2019, they would have had no qualms about it, as the Ivorian has been their most consistent performer in the last four and a half years.
To date, the 25-year-old has made 205 appearances for AC Milan, chipping in with 35 goals and 16 assists in the process. But the Serie A giants are in a spot of bother over the player’s long-term future, as he has entered the final six months of his contract at San Siro. Such a situation has caught the attention of several European bigwigs, including Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona stems from Sergio Busquets’s advancing years, with the veteran Spanish international in the twilight of his illustrious career. Furthermore, the uncertainties surrounding the future of Frenkie de Jong should also prompt Barcelona to enter the market for a central midfielder in the summer.
While Kessie will not be a like-for-like successor for Busquets, his ability to play at the base of the midfield means he could be a solid addition to the Barcelona squad. And now, the Catalan giants have taken a big step towards securing his services on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona and Kessie have reached a verbal agreement to complete a Bosman move once his deal with AC Milan runs out in June. While nothing has been officiated yet, the Blaugrana would feel they are in the driver’s seat to clinch the 25-year-old’s signature in the summer.
Kessie has also been linked with a January move to Tottenham, but he has no interest in joining Spurs and will see out his contract with AC Milan. The player has been with Ivory Coast this month but is set to return to Italy following his nation’s elimination at the hands of Egypt this week. One would feel negotiations with foreign clubs over a summer move could gather pace now.
