Spurs have agreed on a transfer fee with Italian giants AC Milan for midfielder Franck Kessie. But there are still some stumbling blocks in their way, which keeps the deal from being finalized.
According to reports from Calciomercato, there is an agreement between Spurs and AC Milan for the transfer of Kessie. The quoted price is around €15 million. However, the Ivorian midfielder is prepared to run down his contract to wait for better offers in the summer.
Kessie only has six months left on his contract making him a free agent next summer. A number of clubs will line up for the Ivorian next summer. Spurs were hoping to avoid any competition they might face after six months and get the player in early. Conte has been an admirer of Kessie and is keen to get the deal over the line in January.
AC Milan would be more than happy to offload the player in January as they are set to lose him for free in the summer. Kessie has shown no signs of renewing his current contract with AC Milan. He believes it is time for a new challenge in his career. The Ivorian has attracted interest from several clubs including Premier League‘s Spurs.
Kessie has been instrumental in the AC Milan midfield for a while now. He has made 205 appearances for Milan since joining the club in 2017. He has scored 35 goals and set up 16 in this time. The 25-year-old spent the first two years of his AC Milan career on loan from Atalanta.
Will Spurs beat the competition to sign Kessie in January?
Currently, Kessie is with his national side competing for the African Cup of Nations. With less than a week remaining in the winter transfer window, the chances of Kessie leaving Milan are quite slim.
Kessie’s agent believes the player can attract better deals than the one submitted by the North London side. If he decides to wait till next summer, he is certain to receive offers with better financial packages as clubs would not have to pay any transfer fee.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both said to be interested in the AC Milan midfielder. Some big names from the Premier League might also come in for him in the summer, with the likes of the Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool. Barcelona are believed to be the front-runner for Kessie’s signature as of now.
Kessie has nothing to lose and has the power to dictate the terms. It makes sense for him to stay in Italy for another six months, and help the club in a possible title push. Nevertheless, this does not rule out his move to Spurs.
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