Gavi-Pedri show sends Kessie away from Barcelona

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 15 Jan 2023 21:15 GMT
• 4 min read

Barcelona have proposed a part-exchange deal to Inter Milan that will see Franck Kessie and Marcelo Brozovic swap clubs.

That is according to Sky Italia, which claims that Barcelona have already suggested the offer to Inter and that the two clubs are currently in talks.

The report adds that Inter are mulling over the offer but are currently unsure whether it is a good deal for them.

Barcelona have decided to put Kessie up for sale as he well down the pecking order at Camp Nou.

On Sunday evening, Barca's first-choice midfield put on a clinic in the 3-1 Super Cup final win over Real Madrid.

Youngsters Gavi and Pedri were the stars of the show as they ran Madrid ragged. Gavi scored one and made another for Robert Lewandowski, while Pedri scored the third before Karim Benzema hit a consolation in injury time.

This impressive win was the final nail in Kessie's Barca coffin, as he came on only for the final three minutes during which Madrid scored their goal.

Barcelona only signed Kessie on a free transfer last summer when his contract at Inter’s city rivals Milan expired. He arrived on a four-year contract.

European Golden Shoe 2022/23

Kessie struggles at Barcelona

However, he has endured a miserable first six months at the club.

Kessie’s decision to join Barcelona already raised doubts before the season started due to the sheer abundance of talent in midfield at Camp Nou.

With the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong present, it was always going to be difficult for Kessie to nail down a first-team place.

And so it has proven as he has started just two La Liga games, plus six appearances from the bench for a total of 245 minutes. He has scored just once in all competitions.

Kessie is now reported as regretting joining Barcelona and realises that there is little chance of him becoming a regular starter at the club.

Kessie played his part in Milan winning their first Scudetto in 11 years last season. Indeed, he scored Milan’s third goal in the 3-0 win on the final day of the season over Sassuolo that clinched the title.

As for Brozovic, he has been a key player for Inter in recent years but is now 30 and has suffered from increasing injury problems this season.

Inter also have financial problems and need to make a €60m profit via sales by June 30.

As it stands a swap deal is unlikely but Inter are considering it according to Sky Italia.

Kessie is keen to move, knowing he has no chance of ever displacing the likes of Pedri and Gavi.