Varun Pai
Manchester United suffer blow as Tottenham Hotspur on the verge of sealing transfer for AC Milan star Franck Kessie
According to Calciomercato, via The Sun (h/t Daily Mail), Tottenham Hotspur are close to orchestrating a transfer for AC Milan star Franck Kessie amidst interest from Manchester United.
The central midfielder has been immense for the San Siro club over the last four years and played a huge role in delivering Champions League football last season by helping Milan finish in the Top 4 of Serie A.
However, the Ivorian might be on the cusp of a departure as he has a little over six months on his current deal with the Rossoneri. In fact, Tottenham are on the verge of completing a move and making him the first signing of the Antonio Conte era.
The Italian joined the North London club earlier this week after they sacked Nuno Espirito Santo. Fabio Paratici has been in contact with Kessie’s agent, George Atangana, and has informed him that they are ready to offer a salary worth £8.5million per year.
Atangana is also due a massive commission in this deal, with the player set to earn wages worth £165,000-per-week – a monumental increase from the offer they made in the summer to sign the player on a salary worth £128,000-per-week.
This deal, however, will come as a blow to Man United, who were also looking to sign the talented midfielder. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic could leave Old Trafford by the end of 2023, and some additions could be required in the centre of the pitch.
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At 24, Kessie could form the base of the midfield at the theatre of dreams for a long time to come, and his consistent levels of quality could help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer actively compete for trophies year-in and year-out- granted the Ivorian signs and Ole stays in the job.
Regardless, it remains to be seen whether United could hijack the player’s move and lure him to Manchester instead of North London.
