Few teenagers are as in-demand as Franck Kessie right now and City and Arsenal may have already missed the boat with Inter Milan closing in.
Inter Milan could steal a march on Manchester City and Arsenal in the pursuit of prodigious midfielder Franck Kessie, according to Calciomercato.
The Nerrazzuri, fresh from a fortunate 1-0 win against Southampton in the Europa League on Thursday, travel to Atalanta this weekend, for whom 19-year-old Kessie has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough campaign.
The young Ivory Coast midfielder netted four times in his first five Serie A appearances while his driving runs from midfield have led to inevitable comparisons with his decorated compatriot Yaya Toure (below).
The teenager is in high demand across Europe, with the player’s agent admitting to Goal recently that Manchester City, Arsenal and Juventus had all sent scouts to watch Kessie in action.
However, Calciomercato are reporting that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio will use the club’s trip to Bergamo on Sunday to open negotiations over a potential switch to the San Siro next summer.
Frank De Boer’s side may have fallen a long way behind Juventus, City and Arsenal after five seasons without Champions League football but Kessie’s close friendship with Inter midfielder Assane Gnoukouri could help them snare the four-time capped Ivory Coast youngster.
Football Italia reported recently that Atalanta may be willing to listen to offers of around 15 million euros while the club’s president, Antonio Percassi, suggested that he may be powerless to prevent Kessie from departing in the near future.
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