Indications have shown that Franck Kessie might be joining Barcelona as a free agent in June.
Since he is participating in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2022) in Cameroon, there won’t be room to sign any deal with his full concentration expected to be on the tournament, especially as the Elephants get ready for the Pharaoh of Egypt in the last 16.
According to reports, the La Liga club have agreed on personal terms with Kessie.
The midfielder decides that he will leave Milan as a free agent in June after both parties failed to agree on a new salary.
The Ivorian wanted over €8m per season plus bonuses new deal, and Milan was not ready to offer such.
It would be interesting to see how Barcelona will add such a burden to their huge debt that has restricted them from signing some players and losing Lionel Messi as a free agent.
From all indications, the deal is done, and Kessie will join Barcelona for free in July. All that will confirm this is for him to put pen to paper.
Out of respect for Milan, if the deal goes through, he will announce it at the end of the season. It will also be good to cap off his Milan season with a trophy, having led them back to Champions League football last season.
Since he can now negotiate with any club ahead of the transfer, it is possible that a pre-contract agreement can be reached.
He had rejected a move in January to Tottenham Hotspur after negotiations broke down.
Thus it appears Barca had beaten Tottenham, PSG, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal to the signature of the young and creative midfielder.
According to Radio Catalunya, the Blaugrana were ‘very interested in the potential signing.
This was also confirmed by Sportitalia transfer pundit Gianluigi Longari, who claimed that both parties have a verbal agreement.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed