Barcelona president Joan Laporta has dented Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of a transfer for Franck Kessie in January. Spurs are reportedly leading the race to sign the Ivory Coast star.
Kessie only moved to Camp Nou as a free agent this July following his contract at AC Milan expiring in June. Yet the 26-year-old has struggled to establish himself in Catalunya with 13 appearances so far. But just five of his outings under Xavi have been in the starting line-up.
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So, the 60-cap midfielder only managed to play 485 minutes across all competitions before the World Cup. Kessie also sustained a left femoral biceps injury during November. He now hopes to return for Barcelona’s La Liga season resuming against Espanyol on December 31.
Kessie’s future at Camp Nou beyond the winter has come into question, though, following his tough start in Spain. Despite penning a contract until June 2026 with a €500m (£440m) release clause, Sport reports teams have already made Barcelona offers for a January deal.
Tottenham, however, are the best-placed team to sign Kessie if he leaves Barcelona in the January transfer window. Spurs have also spoken directly to the Blaugrana. Inter Milan and Napoli proposed loan moves via intermediaries in their hopes to get Kessie back to Serie A.
Tottenham may be the favourites but Barcelona do not plan on a transfer for Kessie
Further, Tottenham would include an interesting option to buy Kessie from Barcelona after an initial loan transfer. Inter Milan and Napoli would prefer a dry loan or his release. While Kessie is still keen to gain a more prominent role in Xavi’s team over the rest of the season.
The midfielder’s salary has also proven to be a sticking point for all of his potential suitors. Sport adds that Barcelona offered Kessie €5m-a-year (£85k-a/w) net to secure his arrival as a free agent. But all of his current suitors would want Kessie to now accept a lower salary.
Barcelona president Laporta has now further dented any hopes Tottenham et al had of any transfer for Kessie in January. The Blaugrana chief has told Barca TV that he has no aims to let the Ivory Coast anchor leave over the mid-season window despite his initial difficulties.
“I don’t want to let anyone go,” he said. “We’re happy with all our players. I am convinced that Kessie and [Andreas] Christensen will be important in the second half of the season.”
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