CalcioMeracto revealed that Tottenham Hotspur reached an agreement with AC Milan over the transfer of Franck Kessie but the midfielder declined the chance to leave the San Siro this month.
Kessie is now free to talk to foreign clubs as he is into the final six months of his contract at the San Siro (Transfermarkt).
It was previously reported that Spurs were the front-runners to snap up the midfielder on a free transfer in the summer (The Daily Express).
However, multiple sources (including Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas and The Telegraph) claimed last week that Tottenham wanted to snap up the Ivorian this month in order to avoid competition from other clubs at the end of the season.
CalcioMeracto have now backed up that claim, explaining that Fabio Paratici accelerated a move for Kessie after Conte identified the midfielder as the man to bolster his midfield.
The report asserts that the Spurs managing director of football managed to strike a deal with Milan for the immediate transfer of the 25-year-old.
However, it is claimed that Kessie, who is currently at the African Cup of Nations, declined the chance to leave the Rossoneri this month as he wanted to be a part of the club’s Scudetto pursuit this season.
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Milan are certainly right in the thick of the title race. So, it makes sense that Kessie would not want to pass up on the opportunity to get a winner’s medal under his belt.
Besides, the midfielder will likely get a signing on fee and have more options to choose from if he leaves as a free agent in the summer.
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