A number of Premier League clubs have been showing interest in Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie. Manchester United and Chelsea are some of the clubs linked with the 20-year-old, who has been in spectacular form this season. Now, his agent has admitted that there is transfer interest from several clubs – most notably clubs from the Premier League. Kessie will have a chance to show his credentials at international level when his Ivory Coast team look to win the 2017 African Cup of Nations. The 20-year-old has been included in the provisional squad and has a great chance of featuring in this competition. His agent was quoted by the Manchester Evening News as saying:
“We have a lot of interest from the Premier League. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
“I cannot say at this stage how much he will cost but we are talking about one of the best young players in the world.
“But for us the most important thing is that the technical project is the right one for him.”
“Franck is very, young so we have to be very careful about his development.”
Kessie made his debut for Ivory Coast in 2014 and has since featured in 10 matches. However, Chelsea have been the 1st to register their interest in the player with the blues being linked with the midfielder for the last few months. Manchester United have also joined in the race to provide some intense competition. Atalanta have been able to benefit immensely from the presence of Kessie. Not many expected the defensive midfielder to come with figures of six goals in 16 league appearances.
Since he has a contract until the summer of 2021, Kessie is valued at more than £30 million by his club. Chelsea have reportedly made a £21.3 million offer for the midfielder. The club are desperate to strengthen this position after recently losing Oscar to Shanghai SIPG. Chelsea are certainly rich in terms of cash after having generated £52 million from the sale of the Brazilian midfielder. United have largely focused on defenders in the last few months.
Since Chelsea have already come in with the first offer, the blues are expected to take negotiations further with United waiting on the wings. Chelsea take on Stoke City while Manchester United play against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve, with both teams at home for these matches.