Barcelona and Al Ahli have reportedly agreed to a deal worth €15 million for 26-year-old Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Franck Kessie will end his stint with FC Barcelona in the ongoing transfer window. The Blaugrana and Al Ahli have agreed to a deal worth €15 million for the player. And the 26-year-old will sign a three-year contract running until June 30, 2026.
Franck Kessie would not have envisioned his career spiralling out of control when he joined Barcelona last summer. The Ivory Coast international had burnt his bridges at AC Milan by leaving as a free agent. And while the Bosman move carried little risk for Barcelona, they could have used him better.
The 26-year-old did not manage even 2,000 minutes of game time in his 43 appearances for Barcelona last season. And Kessie’s Barcelona future was extremely uncertain as we entered the summer transfer window. But the player did not have a shortage of suitors pursuing him, with Juventus and Tottenham being the most serious clubs wanting his signature.
Widespread reports even suggested that the Ivorian midfielder wanted to move to the Premier League, thus boosting Tottenham’s hopes of securing his services. Meanwhile, several outlets even claimed in July that Juventus had agreed to sign the Barcelona midfield powerhouse. But the player is now on his way to Saudi Arabia.
🚨 Franck Kessié to Al Ahli, here we go! Verbal agreement finally reached with Barcelona for fee around €15m 🟢🇸🇦
Al Ahli and Barça remain in contact to check the documents then sign the deal in the next hours.
Kessié will put paper on three year deal, valid until June 2026. pic.twitter.com/xEb5lq0Jhi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2023
Rumours of a possible move to Saudi Arabia had been swirling for several months. But Kessie’s entourage had repeatedly quashed suggestions that he would move to the Middle East. However, Al Ahli’s efforts to sign the 26-year-old have reaped the rewards.
The Saudi Arabian club and Barcelona have sealed an agreement over a deal for the Ivory Coast international. Al Ahli will shell out €15 million to secure Kessie’s services this summer. In addition, the former AC Milan talisman will sign a three-year contract with his new employer.
Interestingly, Tottenham had reportedly been ready to fork out €15 million to secure Kessie’s services. But the 26-year-old midfield powerhouse is joining Al Ahli for a similar sum. And as his Barcelona nightmare ends, he will be eager to resurrect his career in the upcoming season.
