A long-running contract saga involving Milan and Franck Kessie could soon come to a close, with the Rossoneri ‘resigned’ to losing their star midfielder. According to MilanNews, Paolo Maldini and co are readying one last offer to extend the Ivorian’s deal with virtually no realistic hopes of pulling it through.
Milan are desperate to tie Kessie down to a new contract. However, a substantial gap between the club’s bid and the player’s wage demands seems unbridgeable at this point. With the midfielder entering the final six months of his deal at the San Siro, the Rossoneri seem to be on the verge of losing another indispensable first-team star on a free transfer.
Kessie is reportedly sticking to his staggering request of €8m net per season – a salary Milan have no intention nor capability of meeting. Despite the 25-year-old’s indispensable status under Stefano Pioli and the club’s genuine desire to keep hold of him, it appears as if the seven-time European champions are powerless to stop him from leaving.
But Milan will reportedly make a last-ditch attempt to convince Kessie to lower his demands and pledge his future to the Rossoneri colours. There has been no indication how much are the Serie A powerhouse ready to offer their sought-after star, but it is likely to be way off the player’s initial request.
Meanwhile, a couple of Premier League top dogs, including Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, are lurking in the shadows. Spurs boss Antonio Conte has earmarked Kessie as his number one priority heading into the summer transfer window.
Tanguy Ndombele’s fallout with the new manager has amplified Tottenham’s need for a new box-to-box midfielder. The Frenchman is said to be on the cusp of leaving London for a half-season loan switch to either Lyon or PSG.
As such, the Londoners, who have got back in contention for a top-four Premier League finish on the back of Conte’s appointment, could steal the Milan stalwart away in the summer.