Real Madrid have joined the race for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, according to ESPN and AS. However, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest. PSG’s sporting director, Leonardo Araujo, formerly worked with Kessie while at Milan. Antonio Conte, Tottenham’s manager, is very familiar with Serie A and therefore knows Kessie well.
It’s clear that Kessie’s talent is being recognised outside of those with Serie A ties now that Real Madrid are showing interest. The Ivorian’s contract with Milan expires this summer, and the club have struggled to re-sign the midfield star. Due to this, other clubs are monitoring the situation.
Real Madrid Join Franck Kessie Race
The Player and the Fit
Kessie moved to Milan in 2017 after dazzling at Atalanta. Since then, Kessie’s been arguably Milan’s top player during the last five years.
When he first arrived, Kessie was mostly featured as a defensive midfielder. But now, he’s changed to a box-to-box player and one of the top midfielders in all of Italy. His attacking prowess has grown as well, and Milan manager Stefano Pioli does not hesitate to play Kessie in a more advanced role. He’s also Milan’s penalty taker, showing the club’s trust in his abilities.
At the bottom line, Milan’s difficulty with Kessie’s renewal comes down to finances. Kessie has earned a pay rise, but Milan look to be unable to give the player what he wants. This isn’t an issue for other clubs, especially Real Madrid. It’s looking like Milan is conceding to the possibility of losing Kessie. They approached Lille with a bid for midfielder Renato Sanches at the end of the winter transfer window.
Real Madrid’s midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro have been outstanding over the years. With that being said, they are ageing. Modric is 36-years-old and Kroos is 32-years-old. Kessie is just 25-years-old. Real Madrid always welcome top talent, so naturally, there’s a fit for Kessie. He’s entering his prime years now as well.
Main Photo
