Barcelona weighing up offer for Franck Kessie

Franck Kessie looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
Franck Kessie looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images) /
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Franck Kessie heads the ball against Barcelona’s Ricky Puig during their August 2018 International Champions Cup match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon Henderson / International Champions Cup / Getty Images)
Franck Kessie heads the ball against Barcelona’s Ricky Puig during their August 2018 International Champions Cup match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon Henderson / International Champions Cup / Getty Images) /

Barcelona looking to strengthen the midfield ahead of next season

The plan for Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window is to try to acquire Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

Given their financial situation, any money they have will likely be held for the Norwegian striker. That being said, they are also not going to ignore other areas of the pitch that need improvement.

That is why the Catalans are going to be very active when it comes to analyzing the free agent market. They are going to try to get players they believe will improve the club but on a free.

They may be on the verge of locking up a soon to be free agent in the form of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.

According to Sport, Barcelona are set to make an offer to Kessie and are prepared to offer a contract in which he would earn €6.5 million a season. It is an offer they hope will entice the midfielder to pick Barcelona as the likes of Real Madrid and Paris-Saint Germain are also rumored to be interested

Kessie has already informed AC Milan he is not signing an extension.

The midfield is an area where one may think doesn’t need reinforcing. They have Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Nico Gonzalez all capable. That’s not even including Riqui Puig and Sergi Roberto.

But there will be some of those who leave. Puig has seen players younger than him surpass him and has finally given into the thought of leaving the club. All signs point to him going out on loan next season.

Sergi Roberto is in the final months of his contract and there doesn’t seem to be any indication Barcelona consider his situation as a priority. There have been no meetings between the club and the player’s representatives. He may very well be living out his last few months as a Barcelona player.

Barcelona do need to be careful, however. Getting players on a free means they don’t have to pay a transfer fee but it does usually result in the player getting higher wages and a higher pay day for the agent.

Handing out high wages is what got Barcelona into a financial mess in the first place.

The 25-year-old is entering the prime of his career so even if he doesn’t set the world on fire, they’re likely to have suitors if they decide to move on — depending on how long his contract is.

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He’s been an important piece for AC Milan, who will surely regret seeing him go. Barcelona undoubtedly rate him and will want to take advantage of this opportunity. The only question then will be how he’s utilized in order to get the best out of his abilities.