Liverpool and a host of other Premier League clubs seem to have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of one of the hottest players from Serie A. Reports from Italy suggest that Roma are the first choice for Franck Kessie and now one of his teammates has suggested that the deal between the two clubs has been completed.

The Ivorian midfielder has really starred for Atalanta this season and has also bagged a number of goals in the league, even though he plays in a defensive role.

Chelsea, Tottenham and the Manchester clubs were looking to bring the 20-year-old to England, according to his agent, but it seems the African wants to continue his development in Italy.

The Blues also had a bid of £20 million rejected by Atalanta as they wanted to get the most from their rising star. But it seems the Serie A side have already made a deal according to playmaker Papu Gomez.

The Atalanta player was speaking to Radio Continental and confirmed that Kessie is going to Roma.

“As I understand he has already been sold to Roma but will stay with us for another year,” Gomez said.

The deal could be a cash + player deal as Atalanta want the most out of Kessie and officials from the club were seen at Bergamo to close the deal.

This would certainly come as a big blow for all the Premier League sides and throws a spanner in the works for Liverpool’s transfer plans. Although the Ivorian hasn’t been the number one player on the radar for Jurgen Klopp, Kessie could have done a great job at the Reds.

The Merseyside club couldn’t sign any players in the winter window and that has seen their performances dip as they have now fallen out of the top four in the Premier League. A lack of strength in depth and teams shutting up shop when playing the Reds has ensured they have no wins in the league in 2017.

Klopp recently spoke about his frustration of not being able to sign the players that he wants as they weren’t available in the winter window and will look to add players at the start of next season. Klopp did add that the top four is still a target that the Reds can reach but they will have to play better.

Their next target is to face a Tottenham side that have found their mojo once again and if the Reds fail to defeat Mauricio Pochettino’s men, it could be another season out of the Champions League.

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