Milan have reportedly started scouring the market for a potential replacement for Franck Kessie amid the Ivorian’s contractual uncertainty at the San Siro. According to SportMediaset (via MilanNews), the Rossoneri have laid their eyes on prodigious Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg.
Kessie has around six months left to run on his current contract and has yet to pledge his future to Milan so far. The 25-year-old continues to insist on a significant pay rise while the Rossoneri are reluctant to allow the player’s representatives to bully them in extension talks.
The Ivory Coast international has gone from strength to strength under Stefano Pioli following a topsy-turvy start to life in Lombardy. He has developed into one of the best midfielders in Serie A, becoming Milan’s driving force in the centre of the park.
Kessie’s impressive showings have caught the eye of several top European clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. With foreign interest continuing to grow, the Rossoneri are becoming more and more aware they could be powerless to keep hold of their star.
Therefore, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara are keen on landing a long-term replacement for the ex-Atalanta man. One of the profiles seriously considered by the Milan chiefs is Bologna’s Svanberg, who has earned high acclaim for his eye-catching performances under former Rossoneri boss Sinisa Mihajlovic.
The 22-year-old Swede has nailed down his place in Mihajlovic’s double-pivot as his own over the past couple of seasons. He has already racked up 17 Serie A starts this term, netting three goals and delivering two assists in the process.
Widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Serie A, Svanberg has a host of suitors in Europe, with Arsenal and Tottenham keeping close tabs on him. Spurs are reportedly ready to make the Sweden international the first signing under new manager Antonio Conte (via iNews).
Given a genuine interest from the Premier League, Milan may want to step up their pursuit of Svanberg to beat the competition. But they first have to resolve Kessie’s situation, which remains the elephant in the room.