Aston Villa are set to rival a footballing powerhouse for the signature of Franck Kessie ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist was speaking on the latest Here We Go podcast amid reports linking the Ivorian midfielder to La Liga giants Barcelona.
Can you see Kessie joining in the summer?
Yes
No
Milan midfielder Kessie was linked with a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur in the January window, with his contract at the Serie A side set to expire at the end of the season.
The Ivory Coast international has had another impressive season so far at the San Siro, with five goals in 20 top-flight appearances (via Transfermarkt).
And as his contract in Milan ticks down, Romano believes Steven Gerrard’s side have identified the 25-year-old as a possible target ahead of the summer window.
He said: “Yesterday, an Italian journalist, our friend Pasquale Guarro, said that Aston Villa also made a proposal for Franck Kessie. And it’s true that Aston Villa are really serious on this topic.
“But of course, they know that it’s not easy to find an agreement with Kessie, they know that many clubs are in the race, they know that Barcelona are pushing.”
TIF Thoughts on Kessie to Villa…
This would be yet another huge coup for Gerrard if he is able to win the battle for Kessie in the summer considering the likes of Barcelona are looking to bring him in.
We have already seen Villa land a player of high quality in Philippe Coutinho, however, signing Kessie would show they are able to prise players away in their prime.
The £43.2m-rated ace has been a key figure in the Milan squad for a number of years now and judging by reports, he looks set to become one of the big transfer stories in the summer window.
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