Arsene Wenger has refuted reports of a bid for Franck Kessie, and insisted that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be sold to Liverpool.
Kessie has been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs around Europe, with Chelsea and Barcelona among those said to be interested in the Atlanta player. Kessie has been one of Atlanta’s stand-out performers this season and his form has generated a lot of interest in the Ivory Coast international.
A powerful midfielder who likes to run with the ball, Kessie has scored 6 goals and picked up 1 assist in 17 appearances for the Italian side. Kessie is already a full international with Ivory Coast despite only turning 20 earlier this month. Kessie’s playing style has already led to comparisons with his compatriot Yaya Toure.
Kessie’s agent George Atangana was quoted as saying that Arsenal and Chelsea were very interested in the player, with Chelsea said to be showing the most interest. However, Arsene Wenger has refuted any reported interest in the Ivory Coast midfielder, while also ruling out the sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool.
“No [it is not true],” he said according to the club’s official website, when asked if there was any truth to Atangana’s comments. Wenger also dismissed the reports linking Chamberlain to Liverpool, saying, “No. We have all to face a lot of wrong information, you like me, we have to live with that. But we cannot influence that.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly in negotiations over a new contract with Arsenal, but this has not stopped reports that Jurgen Klopp is keen on signing the England international. Klopp himself branded the reports as “nonsense” earlier in the week, and it appears that Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to stay with Arsenal at least for this season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has not fulfilled the promise he showed during his debut season, and his inconsistency and injury issues mean that Arsenal have not been able to steadily rely on the midfielder. His interrupted appearances also mean that the player himself has not been able to get an extended run in the side and this has no doubt stunted his development.
With the rise of Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott’s resurgence before his injury problems struck again, Chamberlain was finding time hard to come by during the start of the season. However, this soon changed as he finally leapfrogged Iwobi as first choice before going off injured against Manchester City.
The links with Franck Kessie will certainly continue, as it looks like his agent is trying to drum up interest in his client going by his comments. However, Arsene Wenger seems adamant that Arsenal are not interested in the midfielder although Antonio Conte has not ruled out a move for the 20-year old.
