Sporting director Leonardo has insisted that Franck Kessie is not in talks with Paris-Saint-Germain, amid reported interest from Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, while speaking via FantaCalcio.
It was a trio that would make the Fast Food Rockers feel welcome; first came COVID-19 pandemic, then the collapse of Ligue 1’s Mediapro TV deal and, if that wasn’t enough, the pressures Financial Fair Play.
Even a Qatari-backed Paris Saint-Germain cannot throw their weight around in the transfer market these days, forced to box clever in the transfer market while balancing FFP limitations with an insatiable desire for continental dominance.
Four of their six summer signings arrived on free transfers after all, even if Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gigi Donnarumma and Gini Wijnaldum are taking home more money every week than you or I are likely to earn in three lifetimes.
Where will Franck Kessie end up?
Kessie, Donnarumma’s former AC Milan teammate, has been linked with a move to the French capital too, after rejecting the chance to extend a contract that is due to expire in July 2022.
According to 90Min, the all-action Ivorian also has admirers at an Arsenal side who could lose both Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in January, while Everton, Leicester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also reported to be interested.
“We have not contacted any player,” said Leonardo, seemingly removing PSG’s name from the frame.
“There is nothing with Kessie or (Milan left-back) Theo Hernandez.”
Calciomercato reported recently that Tottenham were set to offer Kessie, who is rumoured to be available for as little as £7 million in January, a £135,000-a-week contract in North London.
Interestingly, Antonio Conte – who is expected to succeed Nuno Espirito Santo in the Spurs dugout – tried to sign Kessie from Atalanta during his spell in the Chelsea hotseat.
Conte, the Guardian claimed, is a ‘huge admirer’ of a man who was valued at a cool £34 million at the time.
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