Outgoing Milan star Franck Kessie has reportedly opened talks with La Liga giants Real Madrid over joining them on a Bosman deal in the summer. The Ivory Coast international is in the final six months of his current contract at the San Siro and has so far refused all of the club’s attempts to tie him down to a new deal.
Currently away on international duty as Ivory Coast are set to battle it out for the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 glory, the ex-Atalanta man has developed into one of the most highly-rated box-to-box midfielders in Europe’s top-five leagues. Following a stuttering start to life in Milan, he has grown increasingly vital to Stefano Pioli’s tactical set-up over the past couple of years.
Kessie’s eye-catching performances at the San Siro have not gone unnoticed. He has drawn enquiries from a host of Europe’s top clubs as his inspiring spell at Milan looks to be edging towards the end. Curiously, though, last season’s Serie A runners-up are not actively shopping for a midfielder despite the Ivorian’s contractual situation.
Several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, have emerged as potential suitors for the 25-year-old. But, according to Spanish news outlet El Nacional, Real Madrid are at the front of the queue to secure Kessie’s signature once his contract runs out this summer.
Kessie’s representatives have made it clear the player wants a new bumper deal to pledge his future to the Rossoneri. However, Milan’s current financial state doesn’t allow the Serie A heavyweights to meet the midfielder’s demands, which could lead to the Ivorian’s departure at the end of the season.
In the meantime, Los Blancos could undergo a squad overhaul in the summer. Carlo Ancelotti is keen to revamp his midfield options, with long-serving stalwarts Luka Modric and Toni Kroos approaching the autumn of their careers. Despite landing Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes last summer, the Spaniards are now keen to add Kessie to their star-studded roster.
Madrid are leading the La Liga title race at the moment, but they have failed to impress in the Champions League despite finishing top of their group ahead of Milan’s rivals Inter. Los Merengues are in need of reinforcements to maintain domestic supremacy and return in contention for European titles following an underwhelming last couple of years.