Franck Kessie has all but ended Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of a summer transfer by telling Gazzetta dello Sport that his only desire is to stay at AC Milan.
The Ivorian is now in the final year of his contract at the San Siro and is yet to agree on terms to an extension. Talks between the midfielder and Rossoneri have been put on the back burner, however, while he competes at the Olympics.
Kessie’s agent, George Atangana, was in Milan last week for crunch talks over his client’s future, per TuttoMercatoWEB. The 24-year-old wants a €6m-a-year (£98k-p/w) contract to extend his stay. But TMW also add the Serie A side have only offered €4m-a/y (£66k-p/w).
Arsenal and Tottenham are both paying close attention to Kessie’s situation at Milan. Gazzetta dello Sport reported last month that Mikel Arteta’s side led the €50m (£43m) race. While Eurosport later claimed Spurs hold a strong interest in signing the 44-cap brute.
But Kessie has potentially dismantled Arsenal and Tottenham’s plans by stating that his sole desire is to stay at Milan. He has also told Rossoneri Technical Director Paolo Maldini and Sporting Director Frederic Massara that everything will be sorted after the Olympics.
“I am proud to have chosen Milan and it is not my intention to leave. On the contrary, I want to stay forever,” Kessie said. “Now, [I’m at] the Games, but when I come back from the Olympics, I’ll fix everything.
“I only want Milan. Maldini and Massara know my thoughts. I like it so much when the ultras sing ‘a President, there is only a President’. I want to be [there] for life. At least [in] football.”
Kessie deals Arsenal, Tottenham blows with definitive Milan verdict
Kessie has dealt Arsenal and Tottenham blows to their transfer hopes by issuing a definitive desire to stay at Milan. He is now very unlikely to agitate for a move away from the San Siro anytime soon, and could stay into the final year of his contract to continue negotiations.
Tottenham would have only moved for Kessie, anyway, if his camp offered them enough encouragement that he wants to join. His comments, though, suggest the exact opposite.
Arsenal have also turned their attentions to alternative options, in case Granit Xhaka joins Roma. The Mirror report Borussia Monchengladbach star Denis Zakaria is one of several candidates who could bolster Mikel Arteta’s midfield. And the Swiss may now be needed.
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