Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with Franck Kessie – and new boss Antonio Conte has seemingly wanted him for a long time.
Tottenham only appointed Conte as their new manager on Tuesday morning, but the transfer rumours are swirling already.
Gazzetta Dello Sport reported earlier this week that Tottenham are in very advanced talks to sign AC Milan star Kessie.
Kessie is out of contract at the end of the season and Tottenham are fighting to land him for absolutely nothing.
The 24-year-old is one of the top box-to-box midfielders in Europe and could represent a massive coup for Conte and Fabio Paratici.
Conte has wanted Tottenham target Kessie for a long time
Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has now been speaking about Kessie’s future.
As quoted by Milan News, Di Marzio suggested that Conte has loved Kessie for a while, even wanting to sign him for Inter Milan.
That didn’t happen, but it does explain why Tottenham’s links to Kessie are intensifying.
Di Marzio did though add that it’s too early for Kessie to be in advanced talks anywhere, and doesn’t think Tottenham will have a busy January window.
“Kessie is a player who Conte has always liked, he would have liked him also at Inter,” said Di Marzio.
“His contract is about to expire, but it’s too early to be honest. There are no signs for a hot transfer market in January for Tottenham,” he added.
Kessie cost Milan €28million (£24million) in 2017, and would surely be worth much more now if not for his contract situation.
If Conte can get him for free, he would surely beg Tottenham to make it happen.
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