Ange is interested in the Ivorian midfielder.
According to recent rumors, Juventus transfer target Franck Kessie is “leaning towards” joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Who will the Spurs bring in this summer?
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has been backed with three key additions so far as we reach the latter stages of this transfer window, with August representing their final opportunity to reinforce.
Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, and Manor Solomon have all joined in the last month, after the permanent signings of Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski on loan from Tottenham.
Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy‘s priority now is to sign numerous veteran centre-backs to shore up a shaky defense that allowed 63 league goals last season.
Kessie has been linked with a transfer to north London, along with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, with La Gazzetta dello Sport providing an update on the former.
The Ivory Coast international is “currently leaning towards a move” to Tottenham, according to page nine of the newspaper (via Football Italia).
This is bad news for Juve, who have been in regular touch with Barcelona in order to complete a deal. The Serie A heavyweights want Kessie on loan with the option to purchase, a scenario that Xavi‘s side are receptive to and might be financially beneficial to Spurs.
How talented is Franck Kessie?
Kessie shined for ex-club AC Milan in the 2020/2021 season, scoring 13 goals and assisting four others in 36 appearances for the Rossoneri (WhoScored).
These glimpses of form may have led to Barcelona signing the African last summer, but he’s struggled to get regular playing time since, starting only seven league games last season (WhoScored).
Having said that, he has shown his brilliance on occasion, with Xavi applauding his performance following a 1-0 win against Villarreal in February.
“Kessie was great today,” said Spain’s football icon.
“He recovered numerous balls and distributed them effectively… Everything for the sake of the team. He’s pretty stable.”
Former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson commented on Tottenham’s earlier ties to Kessie, saying he would have been a “quick” and “amazing” player for ex-boss Antonio Conte.
“Kessie would fit the bill,” Robinson commented to Football Insider.
“At both ends of the pitch, he is strong, quick, and effective.” He checks off a lot of boxes.
“There is no doubt that he is a fantastic player.” The issue is whether he could come in and command a starting place. Hojbjerg and Bentancur have performed admirably. [Yves] Bissouma has had difficulty getting a shot at times.
“Would Kessie destabilize that midfield?” Maybe, but I don’t think it’s a given. It is critical that the Spurs add players that are better than what they presently have.”
Leave a Comment