AC Milan could sell Franck Kessie for just £7.5 million in January with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur looking to grab a Serie A bargain, as reported by Calciomercato.
If they’re not careful, Milan could lose three of their most influential players on free transfers in the space of 12 months.
Milan refused to bow to the demands of Gigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu. They both wanted a substantial pay rise at the San Siro, which led to the Euro 2020 winner putting pen to paper at football’s answer to the Harlem Globetrotters while the latter made a shock switch to arch rivals Inter.
And with Kessie due to become a free agent in July 2022 – and with Milan reluctant to pay him the £115,000 a week he wants – there’s a good chance the Ivory Coast international could follow in the footsteps of Donnarumma and Calhanoglu.
Milan, then, find themselves in an awkward position.
It’s understood a midfielder valued at £43 million just a few months ago when Arsenal were linked could be available for £35.5 million less when the transfer window swings open again in January.
£7.5 million is better than nothing, of course, but much will depend on what position Milan find themselves in during the winter. It seems unlikely they would be willing to cash in on one of their star players in the middle of a Scudetto challenge.
Liverpool and Tottenham want to lure Franck Kessie from Milan
According to Il Milanista, Liverpool are set to hold talks with the Rossoneri next week regarding a potential move for Kessie from Milan to Merseyside.
It’s believed Milan may ask for Thiago Alcantara – the supremely gifted but injury-prone Spaniard – as part of the deal.
Liverpool are long-time admirers too, having launched an £18 million bid in 2016 when a then-teenage Kessie was scoring goals for fun in the blue and black of Atalanta.
Tottenham are still in the race too, according to Calciomercato.
Sporting director Fabio Paratici will be aware of Kessie’s talents from his time in the Juventus boardroom.
Kessie’s arrival in north London would cast further doubt on the future of £63 million misfit Tanguy Ndombele.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
