Transfer Rumors: Tottenham Gets Boost In Pursuit Of AC Milan Midfielder

KEY POINTS

Franck Kessie thumbed down a contract offer from A.C. Milan, a report says
Tottenham can add Kessie to improve its midfield mix next season
Milan can still pitch a new and improved offer to Kessie

Tottenham FC could use another midfielder in the mix. One name linked to the Spurs is A.C. Milan's Franck Kessie, whom they could potentially sign next summer.

The 24-year-old midfielder recently rejected the latest contract offered by I Rossoneri, according to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport. Kessie thumbed down the £5.6 million ($7.9 million) per season proposal of A.C. Milan, the report claimed.

This may have boosted the possibility that the Ivorian footballer could make the jump to England once his current deal runs out. He is in the final year of his deal with the Serie A club.

If reports are accurate that Tottenham is eyeing him, Nuno Espirito Santo would get someone who can fill in the void left by Moussa Sissoko if they sign Kessie. The 32-year-old French midfielder moved to Watford after agreeing to a two-year deal in August, as announced on the club’s official website.

As for reports that Kessie rejected the contract offer of Milan, some fans may find it surprising. It was in July when the Ivorian midfielder stated that he wanted to stay in San Siro past his contract and onto the 2022-23 season, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

“I'm proud to have chosen Milan and it is not my intention to leave. Indeed, I want to stay forever,” Kessie stated at the time to the Italian newspaper. "Now the Games, but when I come back from the Olympics I'll fix everything."

The sudden change of heart is a mystery, although Milan could always try again and pitch an improved offer. If that move still fails, it would mean that the 24-year-old player wants out.

Aside from Tottenham, Liverpool could also look into the possibility of taking in Kessie. Aside from the two teams, there is a bevy of European teams who could also join the fray.

Since arriving from Atalanta in June 2017, Kessie has made 184 appearances and accumulated 30 goals. He is known more as a box-to-box midfielder but can adjust and play deeper when called upon.

Should he move to Tottenham, Kessie can bolster the midfield of the Spurs. For now, Nuno will have to get the most out of his current mix in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Dele Alli.