La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly in advanced talks to snap up 25-year-old AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie in a Bosman move.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Franck Kessie is inching closer to joining Barcelona in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants are in advanced talks with the 25-year-old AC Milan midfield powerhouse and aiming to secure a pre-contract agreement with him soon.
Franck Kessie has gone from strength to strength since joining AC Milan from Atalanta in 2017. The Ivory Coast international completed his permanent move to San Siro in July 2019 and has since been widely regarded as one of the best players in Serie A while playing a key role in the Rossoneri’s ascent in the last few years.
The 25-year-old has continued his solid run of form this term, amassing 27 appearances across all competitions while chipping in with six goals and one assist. But Kessie’s time at AC Milan is nigh on ending after entering the final six months of his contract. With the player unlikely to sign a new deal, several European bigwigs, including Barcelona, have set their sights on a Bosman move.
The Catalan giants have been in talks with Kessie for some time, with the Ivorian midfielder emerging as a key target. The interest from Barcelona stems from the advancing years of Sergio Busquets and the uncertainties surrounding the future of Riqui Puig.
Puig’s stock has constantly declined in the last couple of years, with neither Ronald Koeman nor Xavi Hernandez fancying him much. And a summer departure from Camp Nou is likely for the academy product, with several clubs from Spain and beyond showing an interest in him.
As for Busquets, the Barcelona captain is in the twilight of his storied career and might start getting phased out of the first-team picture in a year or two. Kessie is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with the 25-year-old quickly becoming a priority option for the Blaugrana. And the Catalan giants have accelerated their efforts to sign the Ivorian, with talks reaching an advanced stage.
Barcelona would prefer reaching a pre-contract agreement with Kessie as soon as possible and could even officiate his impending arrival if the two parties find a consensus. What remains to be seen is if the 25-year-old indeed joins Barcelona in the summer, with his departure from AC Milan seemingly a foregone conclusion.