FC Barcelona have reportedly increased their efforts to sign AC Milan star Franck Kessie, with Liverpool and Newcastle United also chasing the 25-year-old midfielder.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Catalan side have accelerated talks with the Ivory Coast international as Kessie heads into the summer transfer window as a free agent, with the Serie A dynamo yet to sign a new deal with Milan.
Kessie has been linked with numerous clubs over the past few months as the former Atalanta star continuously fails to put pen to paper with the Rossoneri over a new contract, allowing Barcelona to swoop in and open talks with the midfielder.
With Milan signing Kessie for a reported €28m (£23m), the Italian giants are making a huge loss on one of their best players, who according to La Repubblica, is a target for both Newcastle and Liverpool.
Indeed, Kessie has been one of the best all-around midfielders in Serie A in recent years, however, it appears that Barcelona will be the club to secure the African star’s signing this summer, with talks now reaching an apex.
The news will come as a blow for both Liverpool and Newcastle, who both looked like likely destinations for Kessie ahead of the summer transfer window, yet now Barcelona look to have won the race for the Milan superstar.
Barcelona are playing smart trying to sign Kessie already
Barcelona have turned a page in recent weeks following their productive January window, and under Xavi Hernandez, Kessie can become a key member of the first team for the Catalan side ahead of next season.
The midfielder could be an excellent partner for Frenkie de Jong in the Barcelona XI, and with the La Liga side moving fast to wrap up the transfer, Kessie could be announced sooner rather than later.
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