Chelsea are following the case of Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessié at Barcelona and are considering a swoop for the player, according to reports.
Kessie joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer after a five-year stint at AC Milan in the Italian Serie A. The 26-year-old enjoyed a good debut season at the Spotify Camp Nou although he was mostly used from the bench by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.
He made 28 LaLiga appearances, seven of which were as a starter. He scored and assisted a goal each. He was a dependable squad option for Xavi and played a key role in helping the Catalan club seal the Spain top-flight title for the first time since 2019.
However, the club, due to their financial situation, are now looking to cash in on Kessie to turn a profit that can be directed towards other squad purchases and their debts backlog. He is one of a number of players who the club will be listening to offers for but do not have qualms keeping for next season.
There has been a back and forth between the club and Kessié’s representatives to this effect but no consensus has been reached. Reports indicate, in fact, that the midfielder – like a number of Barcelona players – is not interested in leaving the club.
This presents a problem for Barcelona, who are hoping to recoup around €30 million from his sale. There is interest from Internazionale which could see the Ivorian return to Italy only one year after leaving. However, no concrete movement from the Nerazzurri concerning their reported interest has occurred.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli has also submitted a €20 million bid to Barcelona for the player which they and the player have rejected. In his case, a move outside Europe in his prime does not appeal to him while in Barcelona’s case, the club’s bid is below their valuation of the player.
Chelsea are now the latest club linked to the midfielder according to reports in Spain.
The reports claim that new Blues’ boss Mauricio Pochettino wants the midfielder to partner Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park. He will come in for former France international N’Golo Kante, who left for Al-Ittihad earlier in June to bring an end to his seven-year stay at Chelsea.
Kessié is not their first option, however. Brighton and Hove Albion man Moises Caicedo is their first option but the Seagulls are looking for a fee in the region of €90 million for the 21-year-old Ecuador international. If the Caicedo deal falls through, Kessié will be their next target.
The move appeals to the midfielder, according to the reports and if it goes through, both Barcelona and the player could get what they want.
