January's Most Wanted: Kessie to Spurs, Man Utd, Arsenal or PSG?

Carlo Garganese
Carlo Garganese
  • 4 Jan 2022 11:45 GMT
  • 3 min read
© ProShots -

Franck Kessie has developed into one of the best central midfielders in Serie A over the past couple of years, playing an important role in AC Milan’s rebirth towards the top of Italian football.

Consequently, the midfield enforcer has attracted the interest of many of Europe’s biggest clubs. So what is his transfer situation in 2022?

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What is Franck Kessie’s transfer status?

Franck Kessie’s future at AC Milan is very bleak and the club has virtually given up hope of him staying past this current season.

Kessie’s contract expires in June and the Ivory Coast international has rejected numerous offers over the last year to renew.

It has got to the point now where contract talks between Kessie and Milan have basically collapsed.

Contract talks with Milan have collapsed
© ProShots - Contract talks with Milan have collapsed

The midfielder has requested a salary of €9 million a year in order to sign a new deal, but Milan have not been prepared or able to go above €6.5m.

It is thus highly likely that Kessie will leave either in June on a Bosman, or for a small fee in January.

When does Kessie’s contract expire?

Kessie’s contract with Milan expires on June 30, 2022.

What clubs are interested in Kessie?

Almost every major European team are interested in signing Kessie.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are all admirers from the Premier League, as are PSG and Real Madrid.

Tottenham are considered to be the favourites to sign Kessie in 2022. This is due to the presence of new Spurs coach Antonio Conte, who is a huge admirer of Kessie and previously tried to sign him for Inter. Spurs are in the market for a top central midfielder this month and are expected to make an official bid soon.

Antonio Conte is a huge fan of Kessie
© ProShots - Antonio Conte is a huge fan of Kessie

PSG sporting director Leonardo is also a big fan but it is understood that Kessie’s preference is to move to the Premier League.

Could Kessie leave in January?

It is possible that Milan decide to sell Kessie for a small fee in January, rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.

Kessie has performed poorly this season and has been accused of losing motivation given his likely transfer in 2022. Milan may decide it is better replacing him with a more motivated player immediately.

Kessie himself also needs to decide whether he wants to wait until the summer and secure a likely better signing-on fee and contract from his new club.

Could Kessie leave in the summer?

Yes. If Kessie doesn’t move in January then he will almost certainly leave on a Bosman transfer in the summer.

There are a whole host of top clubs interested in him, with Spurs the favourites right now.

How old is Kessie?

Franck Kessie was born on 19 December 2000. He is 25 years old.

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