Transfer News: Liverpool advise Franck Kessie against penning AC Milan extension
According to Corriere Dello Sport via SportWitness (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are urging Franck Kessie against committing his future to Italian giants AC Milan this summer.
The Ivory Coast international is one of Rossoneri’s best players and impressed last season as they returned to the Champions League. However, with just a year to go on his current deal, his future at the club has been called into question.
The 24-year-old joined Milan from Atalanta in 2017. He spent two years on loan at San Siro before making the deal permanent in 2019. Kessie has since made 184 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals and assisting 15.
Having already lost Hakan Calhanoglu and Gianluigi Donnarumma for free this summer, Milan are keen to tie down Kessie for the long term. They view the midfielder’s contract extension as an absolute priority.
There is a feeling amongst the Milan hierarchy that the player’s agent is keen to make use of the situation to secure his client a lucrative deal. Liverpool have not helped Milan’s case by making a concrete approach for the player’s services.
According to the report, the Reds are willing to pay the player €6m a year if he is willing to see out his contract and move to Anfield on a free transfer next summer. It represents a significant improvement on what he earns at Milan.
Money talks!
Kessie is currently earning roughly around £1.9m per season and Milan would be open to raising the figure to £3.4m to prevent him from leaving. The player’s representatives are however demanding around £5.1m for him to stay at the club. (h/t The Daily Mail)
Liverpool’s offer should meet the criteria that the player’s representatives are seeking. The 24-year-old’s agent will also benefit financially from the deal and could help turn the tide in our favour.
As things stand, Milan’s best offer has amounted to €5.5m per year inclusive of bonuses. With Jurgen Klopp’s side willing to offer him much more, it remains to be seen if his head turns. The midfielder is set to hold showdown talks with Milan next week and it remains to be seen what he chooses to do.
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A central midfielder who can also double up as a defensive midfielder, Kessie would be a good addition to the Liverpool squad. Moreover, his athleticism will be a major boon in his efforts to adapt to the English game.
Kessie has the potential to replace Georginio Wijnaldum in the Liverpool squad. However, the Reds will have to wait for a season before they can have their man.
