Report: Antonio Conte is still determined to sign Barcelona player for Spurs

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is still determined to sign Barcelona’s Franck Kessie in the summer despite the player appearing to be keen to stay in Spain.

Kessie signed for Barcelona on a free transfer from AC Milan last summer, but has struggled for minutes with the La Liga side.

The 26-year-old has two goals and three assists in 31 appearances for the Catalan giants this term (Transfermarkt).

The Ivorian midfielder has long been reported to be on Tottenham Hotspur’s wishlist (Fichajes.net), but it has been suggested that it would take a ‘crazy’ offer to get Barcelona to sell the player (Sport).

Sport even claimed that Spurs tried to sign Kessie during the January transfer window, but that move didn’t come to fruition.

Kessie has since told the same publication that he is not thinking about leaving his current club and remains ‘totally focused’ on establishing himself there.

Now though, it appears Conte is keen to keep chasing the combative central midfielder in the hopes of securing his signature in the summer.

The latest report out of Spain suggests Conte “has not given up” on the transfer and it is thought the fact the Italian “knows him perfectly” from his own time in Milan can prove to be an advantage in the pursuit.

Apparently, Kessie currently feels “more adapted” to life in Spain, but there are “economic needs” at the club which could force everyone’s hands.

By the sounds of it, Spurs are “betting heavily” on the fact they can tempt Kessie away from Barcelona.

Spurs Web Opinion

Franck Kessie is a solid player with lots of experience, and would obviously be a good signing for Spurs.

However, the fact he has been with Barcelona for less than a year suggests to me that he would not want to move on yet.

Barcelona might need to sell, but convincing the player could be a lot more difficult.

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