Varun Pai
Manchester United joined by Arsenal & Tottenham Hotspur in race for AC Milan ace Franck Kessie
According to the Daily Mirror (h/t The Sun), Manchester United have been joined by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign AC Milan star Franck Kessie.
The 24-year-old box-to-box midfielder joined the San Siro club in 2017. Since then, he has made nearly 200 appearances and was key to their rise into the Top 4 last season. However, he could be heading for the exit door at the end of the season.
Kessie has a little over six months on his contract, and an extension has not been signed yet. But if he is not interested in signing a new deal, Milan might consider offloading him on a cut-price fee in January.
In fact, the Ivory Coast international has also garnered a host of suitors, including Man United. The Red Devils could need reinforcements in their midfield line soon.
Paul Pogba is bound to leave Old Trafford once his contract expires in the summer of 2022. Nemanja Matic might also follow the same path in 2023. Donny van de Beek is also thought to be pushing for a move in January.
Hence, they could certainly use the services of someone like the Ivorian international. However, Arsenal and Tottenham are also keen on getting a deal over the line for the 24-year-old.
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Antonio Conte has knowledge of the Serie A market and could bring in Kessie if Tanguy Ndombele signs for Barcelona. Arsenal would also be looking to strengthen their midfield line after adding Albert Sambi-Lokonga in the summer.
Milan are already preparing for Kessie’s departure by targeting a deal for Renato Sanches. Thus, it is down to United to orchestrate a deal and convince Kessie that the project in Manchester is the right one for him rather than one in North London.
