Kondogbia’s reputation has been damaged by a disappointing year-and-a-bit spell with Inter but he would still command a heavy fee.
Out of favour Inter Milan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia could attempt to revive his career in the Premier League after his agent ruled out a potential switch to Marseille to RMC Sport.
The forceful Frenchman became the third most expensive signing in Inter’s illustrious history behind Christian Vieri and Hernan Crespo when he arrived at the San Siro last summer but has failed almost entirely to justify his price tag, struggling for form under Roberto Mancini last term and drawing the wrath of Frank de Boer in the opening weeks of this season.
De Boer, who has since been sacked following a dismal run since taking the reins in the summer, slammed Kondogbia after he gifted Bologna a goal with a stray pass in a 1-1 draw in September, calling into question the player’s discipline and attitude, as reported by Football Italia.
Furthermore, Calciomercato report that new Inter coach Stefano Pioli is unimpressed with the rangy enforcer, a player in the mould of Yaya Toure, leaving him open to a departure as soon as possible.
However, any potential deal with Marseille is a non-starter, according to the player’s agent, with the French giants currently mired in mid-table in Ligue 1 despite new owner Frank McCourt pledging to return them to the top of the European game.
“To date Geoffrey is an Inter player and even if we were to think of a departure from Inter, we would not give priority to a project like OM,” Jonathan Maarek told RMC Sport.
Consequently, this could push Kondogbia in the direction of the Premier League, with the Express reporting that Liverpool are keen to add his power and presence to their high-tempo midfield.
Despite being restricted by a more conservative role in Serie A, the 23-year-old possesses the enviable ability to turn defence into attack with a powerful burst of energy, a style that would suit both the Premier League and Klopp’s relentlessly vigorous approach.
The Express also claim that Arsenal have shown an interest in the past, with Kondogbia appearing an ideal fit alongside a more defensively minded Francis Coquelin or Mohamed Elneny in midfield, especially as age and injuries catch up with Santi Cazorla.
The former Monaco dynamo helped knock The Gunners out of the Champions League with a long range thunderbolt in the round-of-16 in March 2015, and his stylistic similarities with former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira will surely not have been lost on Arsene Wenger.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
