Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United have long been linked with Franck Kessie and according to Daily Mail, the two sides might have moved one step closer to signing the AC Milan man.
Kessie has been one of the most important players for Milan in recent years but his current deal with the club is set to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season. And the Serie A side have been trying really hard to make him agree to a new contract.
Franck Kessie has so far delayed talks over a new deal and as per the latest updates, the midfielder has rejected another offer from the club.
Why has Franck Kessie rejected a new AC Milan contract?
The Daily Mail are citing Di Marzio claiming that the talks have broken down due to a disagreement in wages.
Milan are offering the 24-year-old a new five-year deal worth £128,000-per-week but Franck Kessie is reportedly holding out for £7.7 million a year.
Manager Stefano Pioli has made it clear that he wants the midfielder to stay back and sign a new contract.
‘I would like Kessie to sign,’ he told the press. ‘The negotiations go on between the club and his agent, and I don’t think it’s the time to worry.
‘With Franck, I only talk about matters relating to the pitch and I always see him as positive and serene, there are no problems.’
Franck Kessie heading to the Premier League?
Manchester United and Arsenal will be really interested in this situation since both these sides require a new defensive midfielder.
Arsenal have sorted out one position by signing Thomas Partey and now Mikel Arteta is looking for a long-term replacement for Granit Xhaka.
🚨 AC Milan could sell Franck Kessié in January if he doesn’t sign a new contract. His current deal runs out in 2022 and they don’t want to lose him on a free.
Barça, PSG and Man Utd are interested in the Ivorian.
(Source: @SkySport) pic.twitter.com/OAdUns2Vo1
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 11, 2021
Manchester United, on the other hand, have a gaping hole in the defensive midfield role and someone like Franck Kessie can very easily do the same job that Fred and McTominay are doing together(maybe even better).
It will be a masterclass if either of these sides can sign the 24-year-old as a free agent but given how desperate Man United are, it will not be a surprise if they make a move in January itself.
United won’t mind wasting a few million pounds to sign a player like Kessie but we doubt if Arsenal will walk the same way.
Arsenal are expected to make a few new signings in January but a new defensive midfielder might not be at the top of their priority list. The management might refuse to sanction a deal for someone whom they can sign for free just a few months later.
We don’t see Franck Kessie signing a new deal at AC Milan so there’s a big chance that he will be playing for a Premier League side, either this season or the next.
