Franck Kessie reached an agreement with his next club before a free agent switch this summer, and the extent of Tottenham’s pursuit has been revealed.
The Ivory Coast midfielder, 25, has developed into a superb all-rounder at AC Milan midfield. Kessie was instrumental in giving Rossoneri the moment to reach the top of the Serie A table. However, since his contract expires in the summer, lifting the trophy would be his last act at San Siro.
This is what the trusted transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says. The The Italian journalist tweeted Kessie has “signed as a new Barcelona player” after a verbal agreement was reached in recent days.
That will come as a bitter blow Tottenham who was associated with a January transfer or free agent swoop in the summer.
In fact, Spurs boss Fabio Paratici was reportedly high on the idea of bringing Kessie to north London. Contributing as fellow fighter stars Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur would make the Spurs a scary prospect for many,
But it was Barcelona who won the race with a four-year contract to be written.
Kessie will receive a weekly salary of £ 105,000. This is the same as what AC Milan offers, but Kessie also gets ‘add-ons’ at Camp Nou. Romano added that the player’s medical has already been completed.
Athletics Tottenham correspondent, Jack Pitt-Brooke, then throw light on Spurs failed pursuit.
Kessie dug heels over the January transfer
The journalist confirmed that Paratici’s Kessie ‘wants’ and plans were underway over a January transfer for a cut price.
The ACs signed up for this idea because they would have received a small amount, instead of leaving the case free six months later.
However, Kessie himself is said to have ‘dug in his heels’ to block the movement. This was with the intention of securing a more lucrative free agent movement that could potentially include a registration fee.
What’s more, that path allowed Kessie to choose which team he would go to to join.
Spurs’ focus will now be on alternative goals, even if the latest buzz surrounds a forward, not a midfielder.
In fact, Paulo Dybala seems to be leaving Juventus for sure as a free agent in the summer. Spurs signed two players from Turin Club in January in the form of Dejan Kulusevski and Bentancur.
Tottenham fans hope the club’s strong Juve connections through Paratici and Conte can help then land Dybala as well.
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