Tottenham have now made a bid to sign Aston Villa target Franck Kessie – who Mikel Arteta wanted at Arsenal in 2021.
What’s the story?
Well, as Liverpool swoop to sign Cody Gakpo and Arsenal submit an offer for Mykhaylo Mudryk, Spurs have also made their first move in the winter transfer market – according to Alfredo Martínez, a journalist for Onda Cero.
Speaking on Radioestadio Noche, he claimed: “There is an offer from Tottenham for Kessie of just over €15m.”
That equates to £13m for those of us in England – if Barcelona accept, it would represent a bargain for Spurs.
The bid comes after Mundo Deportivo in Spain revealed that Unai Emery wants to bring the Ivory Coast international to Aston Villa.
As aforesaid, Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal have also shown interest in Kessie before.
According to the Express, the Gunners shortlisted the 26-year-old as a target back in December 2021 ahead of the January transfer window, although nothing ever came of it.
Kessie eventually left AC Milan to join Barcelona on a free transfer back in July, although things have not exactly gone smoothly for the Ivorian in Catalonia.
The Barcelona No.19 has made just two starts in La Liga as he struggles to become a starter under Xavi, due to competition for places as well as a few injury problems.
Tottenham could beat Aston Villa to a bargain
As we all know, Barcelona are in need of money – even more so after their surprise exit from the Champions League.
Therefore, the Spanish giants could accept the £13m offer from Tottenham, and even if Spurs end up being forced to pay £20m for Kessie, it would still be a bargain.
The box-to-box midfielder is right in the prime of his career aged 26, and has proven himself to be a fantastic option when playing regularly.
For example, Kessie scored 14 goals and provided six assists from midfield for AC Milan in the 2020/21 campaign, which was arguably the last season where his career was settled before a contract dispute at the San Siro saw him join Barcelona.
Keep an eye on this situation, as the Barcelona misfit could soon be arriving in N17.
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