The Ivorian is a box-to-box midfielder by trade, who is also adept at playing as a defensive midfielder and acting as a shield for the back four.
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AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie is reportedly set to join FC Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the season. According to a report by Gianluca Di Marzio, the Blaugrana have signed the 25-year-old for a four-year deal. The midfielder took his medicals in Lugano, Switzerland, in the last few days, and has agreed to a EUR 7 million annual salary. The Ivorian footballers contract with the Serie A giants expires at the end of the season and there is no renewal on the horizon.
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Franck Kessié has already completed his medical tests with Barcelona in Lugano, as reported by @DiMarzio. The verbal agreement has been reached days ago for €6.5m net guaranteed salary. ?? #FCB
Official contracts will be completed in the coming weeks. Here we go soon ⏳ pic.twitter.com/3UeXHrfLnX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 21, 2022
Kessie established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A since coming to San Siro in 2017. Over the last four and a half years, his stature has grown consistently and he has been a pivotal part of Stefano Pioli’s side.
The 25-year-old has made 212 appearances for the Lombardy club, found the back of the net 36 times and registered 16 assists so far. The Ivorian is a physically strong and tall midfielder who is pretty good with the ball at his feet. He has a good range of passing and reads the game very well.
Kessie initially joined Milan on loan from Atalanta before making the move permanent for EUR 25 million in 2019. With Sergio Busquets not getting any younger at 33, Barca boss Xavi is looking for reinforcement in the defensive midfielders position.
Kessie looks like the perfect option who could very well fit into Xavi’s plans as he has great ball-winning and ball-carrying abilities. Signing a proven talent like him in a Bosman deal would be a coup for any club.
Barcelona are on the rise under Xavi Hernandez since the former player-turned coach replaced Ronald Koeman in November. The Blaugrana have won all of their last five league games, including a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in the El Clasico on Sunday.
Although barca have been in superb form, Xavi knows his squad needs to be strengthened further more to get them back to where they belong. Kessie is a box-to-box midfielder by trade, who is also adept at playing as a defensive midfielder and acting as a shield for the back four. Xavi prefers a 4-3-3 formation with the defensive midfielder being a vital player in the plans.
The Ivorian is versatile enough to compete with the likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Nico Gonzalez for an advanced 8 in midfield. But Xavi is likely to see him as a replacement for Busquets. With time, Kessie can be moulded into a proper no.6 at Camp Nou. The former Atalanta player can initially rotate Busquets before making the defensive midfield position his own.
