Barcelona have completed the signing of Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie on a free transfer. The 25-year-old left Serie A champions AC Milan earlier this month and has decided to continue his career at the Camp Nou. They have also announced the arrival of defender Andreas Christensen, who left Chelsea as a free agent recently.
𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋! 😏
Welcome, Kessie! 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/wG051AUnpT
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 4, 2022
Barcelona Complete Shrewd Signing of Franck Kessie
Franck Kessie Unveiled as Blaugrana’s First Summer Signing
The Ivory Coast midfielder has signed a four-year contract with the La Liga giants and become their first signing of the summer transfer window so far. Moreover, the club has also confirmed that his release clause has been set at a massive €500 million to ward off competition from interested parties in the future.
Kessie will be officially presented as a new Barcelona player on Wednesday, July 6. He will sign his contract with the club, be unveiled in front of fans in their training ground and then also meet the press at an event.
Read More: Tottenham Hotspur Close to Signing Clement Lenglet on Loan
The 25-year-old comes with a lot of experience in his arsenal. He has been playing as a professional from the age of 18 and was one of Serie A’s most consistent midfielders at AC Milan.
Kessie scored six goals in 31 league appearances for Milan last season, helping them clinch their first league title in over a decade. His performances got him a lot of praise, with ex-Milan forward Antonio Cassano comparing him to prime Yaya Toure.
Andreas Christensen Joins Barcelona as Free Agent
Signed! ✅ pic.twitter.com/AoP9JTjwC5
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 4, 2022
Barcelona weren’t done after they announced Kessie on Monday, going on to unveil the acquisition of Danish defender Andreas Christensen. The ex-Chelsea man also joins as a free agent and has agreed a four-year contract with the club until June 2026.
Christensen has been roped in to help improve Barca’s defensive strength next season. The 26-year-old spent the last six years at Chelsea, winning the Champions League and Europa League titles with them.
Barcelona Expected to Be More Proactive in Transfer Market
Kessie and Christensen’s signings are far from being the only ones to be made by Xavi Hernandez’s side in the summer transfer window.
They are also pushing to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha and steal him away from Chelsea. The Spanish giants are also looking to sign a new striker, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently their only natural centre-forward option available currently.
Read More: Manchester United’s Negotiations for Frenkie de Jong Hit a Snag
Barcelona are pushing for the signing of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, but struggling to get a deal done because of the Bundesliga giants reportedly wanting over €60 million to consider his sale.
Xavi wants his squad to be prominently strengthened with new arrivals in order to challenge Real Madrid for the La Liga title next season.
Main image
