FC Barcelona have reportedly agreed personal terms with AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who has been chased by Tottenham for most of the January transfer window.
According to SportItalia via Football Italia, the Catalan giants have struck a deal with the Ivory Coast international to join Barcelona this summer, with Kessie’s contract set to expire at the end of this season.
As per the report, a verbal agreement has been reached between Barcelona and Kessie’s entourage, with the midfielder unwilling to sign a new contract with Milan this season, which alerted Tottenham.
As reported by CalcioMercato, Spurs have been chasing Kessie for some time, with the same publication also claiming earlier in the window that Antonio Conte ordered football managing director Fabio Paratici to sign the 25-year-old for Tottenham.
With former Chelsea star Pat Nevin labelling the midfielder as a ‘special’ player, Barcelona are landing a great deal in Kessie, who no doubt would have also been a stellar signing for Tottenham this January.
However, with Tottenham now changing tact and looking to sign ACF Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on loan as reported by the Evening Standard.
Tottenham should have moved faster to beat Barcelona to Kessie
Whilst Conte and Paratici have identified a midfielder signing in Amrabat in the final week of the window, there’s no denying that Kessie would have been a much better option this month, with Barcelona set to compete an impressive deal.
The Milan star has been one of Serie A’s top midfielders in recent seasons. And Kessie would have added an extra dynamic to Tottenham’s squad had Spurs won the race over Barcelona for the Ivorian powerhouse.
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