Sportitalia TV journalist Gianluigi Longari has revealed that Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with rumoured Tottenham target Franck Kessie over a summer move.
Kessie’s current contract with AC Milan runs out in June and the midfielder is allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with non-Italian clubs from this month (Transfermarkt).
It was reported last week by Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas and The Telegraph that Tottenham were looking to complete Kessie’s signing in January in order to avoid competition for him in the summer.
However, CalcioMeracto revealed on Sunday that despite Fabio Paratici’s efforts, Spurs could not complete a deal for the 25-year-old, who is currently with the Ivory Coast squad at the African Cup of Nations.
The report explained that although Milan were willing to sanction a January deal, Kessie was not willing to leave this month, given that the Rossoneri were in a title race.
If Longari’s latest update is to be believed, Spurs could be about to lose out on the Milan star’s signing altogether as he is now set to move to Barcelona in the summer.
The journalist reveals that the Catalan giants have reached a verbal agreement with Kessie on a free transfer at the end of the season.
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It is explained that while the midfielder has not put pen to paper with Barca, Xavi Hernandez’s men aim to officially strike a deal with Kessie’s entourage over the coming weeks.
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It was inevitable that the likes of Barca would make a move for Kessie should he become available on a free transfer. That is perhaps why Spurs were rumoured to be keen on snapping up the 25-year-old in January. Given that Kessie has not officially signed with Barca, all hope is not yet lost for Spurs.
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