Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in talks to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie on a free transfer as new manager Antonio Conte looks to revamp his squad.
Franck Kessie, 24, is into the final year of his contract at AC Milan and has attracted interest from all around Europe. The Ivorian midfield powerhouse is free to sign a pre-contract with any non-Italian club in January, with talks over an extension to his current deal stalling at San Siro.
According to SportItalia’s Rudy Galetti (h/t The Metro), Tottenham are closing in on reaching an agreement with the agent of Franck Kessie, George Atangana, over a deal that would see the AC Milan star secure a move for absolutely nothing next summer. The report adds the north London club’s contract offer is in the region of £160,000 wages a week, which is a steep rise to what the 24-year-old is currently earning at Milan.
The Ivory Coast international has developed into one of the best midfielders in Serie A in recent years and helped Milan clinch a second spot finish in the Serie A table last season, with the Rossoneri qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in eight years, as a result.
Franck Kessie to Tottenham—A strong midfield option?
Tottenham moved quickly to replace Nuno Espirito Santo with Antonio Conte, who returns to the Premier League for the first time after losing his job at Chelsea in 2018. The Italian tactician, 52, tasked with immediately improving a Tottenham side that had lost five out of their last seven Premier League games, managed a scoreless draw against Everton in his first Premier League assignment in charge of the Lilywhites.
Antonio Conte has a decent squad at Tottenham to work with but if the north Londoners are to get back into the Champions League as well as start winning silverware, they need to wholeheartedly back their newly-appointed manager.
AC Milan’s Franck Kessie has emerged as one of many potential targets for the new Spurs boss ahead of the January transfer window. Kessie has been the heartbeat of the unbeaten Milan side under Stefano Pioli this season, lately getting his mojo back. He scored a penalty in the 2-1 win over AS Roma last weekend that helped the Rossoneri retain the second spot in the table.
Technically sound, the Ivorian’s passing ability, work rate, tackling skills and energy would see him fit seamlessly in Conte’s system at Spurs. He is a combative midfielder who never hesitates to stick his leg out to stop the opponent from advancing whilst possessing the doggedness, drive and vision to chip in with crucial assists and goals.
Franck Kessie has the required qualities to adapt to the physical and fast-paced demands of Premier League football. At 24, the ex-Atalanta man is perhaps at the right age to make the step up from Serie A to Premier League.
For Spurs, they must freshen up their central midfield cavalry, and a potential free agency deal for Kessie could work wonders for Conte’s side moving forward.