25-year-old midfielder undergoes Barcelona medical in Switzerland - Reports
AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie has undergone medical tests in Lugano, Switzerland, ahead of his move to Barcelona, according to Sky Sports (via Sempre Milan).
Kessie currently has less than six months remaining on his AC Milan contract which he is not looking to extend. The 25-year-old is now closing in on signing for the Catalan giants on a free transfer ahead of the 2022-23 season.
According to the aforementioned source, Kessie has already completed his Barcelona medical and is set to pen a four-year deal with the Blaugrana. Reports also suggest that the Ivorian is set to earn around €7 million per annum, which will see him pocket a total €28 million during his time in Spain.
The Catalans are paying €2 million more than what AC Milan were willing to give Kessie as part of his new contract.
#FCB
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 ⏳ https://t.co/3UeXHrfLnX
Franck Kessie has been one of AC Milan's most important players this season as the Rossoneri look to secure their first Serie A title since 2011. The 25-year-old midfielder has made 30 appearances for Milan, scoring six goals and assisting once.
Kessie arrived at the San Siro on loan from Atalanta in 2017 before the move was made permanent. He has made a total of 214 appearances for AC Milan, contributing 36 goals and 16 assists in his five-year stint.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have got their hands on a proven star to bolster their midfield. Kessie is capable of playing as a central midfielder and even as a defensive midfielder. The Ivorian international could be the Catalan giants' long-term replacement for an aging Sergio Busquets.
Barcelona secured a crucial El Clasico win at the weekend
Barcelona, meanwhile, secured an emphatic 4-0 win against fierce rivals Real Madrid in the El Clasico on Sunday. A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and goals from Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres were enough to claim all three points.
The win was vital for the Catalan giants as they pursue a top-2 spot in La Liga. Xavi's side are currently third in the league standings, having accumulated 54 points from 28 matches. They are at present three points behind second-placed Sevilla with a game in hand.
"𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗪𝗜𝗡" https://t.co/Qrbx6JnI0L
If Barcelona win their game in hand, they will be just nine points behind league leaders Real Madrid with nine matches remaining in the season.