Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was linked with a move for a number of midfielders in the winter window and one of them was rising Ivory Coast youngster Franck Kessie.

The 20-year-old Atalanta midfielder took Serie A by storm this season and has racked up a number of fine performances for the surprise package of the Italian league. The former Stella Club player has been linked with a move to a number of clubs and it is being reported that Liverpool is one of the few clubs still trying to sign Kessie up.

Tuttosport reported on Sunday that the Reds are willing to move for the player in the summer and will have to fight interest from a number of other Italian clubs.

It was also reported that Klopp wanted to sign the midfielder in the winter and had even sanctioned a deal worth €40m for the Ivory Coast international. While that deal didn’t take place, it was reported by a number of outlets that Kessie had signed with Roma and was to move in the summer at the capital club. Currently, he is one of the most wanted transfer targets in the footballing world with the host of Europe’s top clubs looking to lure him away from the historic city (Rome.)

A big battle on the hands for Kessie

It isn’t a surprise that Kessie is being linked with the Reds even after the Roma rumour. Liverpool had sent a number of scouts to watch the youngster on the pitch in December and that seems to have made the mind up of Klopp but the bid for the Serie A star does seem to be highly unlikely now.

The price point being one as a €40m transfer is certainly too much for a player that has just had half a good season for the Serie A club. Further, Kessie might want to remain in Italy and ply his trade there as he develops into a better footballer.

Liverpool too have been linked with a number of other players for their midfield and one name that does stand out is that of Mahmoud Dahoud. The German seems to be one of the priorities for the former Borussia Dortmund manager and it he will be fighting hard to bring the 21-year-old to Anfield in the summer.

The Reds might also have to shift James Milner next season to the midfield and thus bringing in Kessie wouldn’t work all that well due to a lot of competition in the heart of the team.

Kessie does seem set to remain in Serie A and his development would continue at Roma next season.

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