Arsenal have been linked with quite a few midfielders this summer as they prepare to offload Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka.
Guendouzi and Xhaka are heavily expected to join Marseille and Roma respectively in the very near future.
And Arsenal are linked with the likes of Yves Bissouma and Manuel Locatelli to name but a few.
But there’s a new name on the Gunners’ radar for the first time this summer.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the North Londoners are leading the race to sign Franck Kessie from AC Milan.
The Italian giants may be forced to sell the 24-year-old Ivorian this summer if they cannot tie him down to a new deal, considering his contract expires in 12 months.
Gazzetta add that despite only having a year left on his contract, Kessie is still valued at £42 million and that the player wants a salary of £100,000 per week to sign a new deal at San Siro.
Compared to Yaya Toure
Kessie isn’t much of a household name among fans of English football.
But for an insight into his qualities, former Italy striker Antonio Cassano has compared him to Yaya Toure due to his ‘devastating‘ midfield play.
If this link is genuine, it certainly suggests that Arsenal won’t be pushing ahead with Bissouma, while Locatelli, who continues to light up Euro 2020, is probably beyond Edu’s reach now.
But it seems to all hinge on Kessie’s contract. If Milan aren’t willing to give him a bumper salary, the North Londoners look ready to pounce.
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