Barcelona confirm Franck Kessie as their first summer signing with the defensive midfielder penning a four-year contract after leaving AC Milan… coming as a potential boost to Manchester United in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong
- Free agent Franck Kessie has agreed to join Barcelona on a four-year contract
- The former Milan midfielder left the San Siro last month after a five-year spell
- Kessie joining the Catalan club could bode well for Erik ten Hag and Man United
- Barcelona may be more inclined to part ways with star man Frenkie de Jong
- The Ivorian scored six league goals in 31 appearances at Milan last campaign
Barcelona have announced their first signing of the summer after penning a deal with former AC Milan and Atalanta star Franck Kessie on a free transfer.
The defensive midfielder has agreed to a four-year contract at the club following the expiry of his Milan deal in June.
The Catalan club have set Kessie’s buyout clause at €500million.
Barcelona have announced the signing of Franck Kessie on a free transfer until June 2026
The Ivorian international is officially Barcelona’s first signing on the summer transfer window
During a fruitful title-winning campaign with Milan in Serie A, the Ivorian international scored six goals and notched 31 league appearances from defensive midfield.
His arrival could have a positive knock-on effect for Manchester United in their pursuit of Barcelona’s star midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with the Red Devils all summer.
De Jong’s £55m move plus add-ons to Manchester was believed to be ’90 per cent’ complete last week, but the deal has since stalled.
His arrival could help Manchester United finalise a deal for transfer target Frenkie de Jong
Kessie scored six Serie A goals in 31 appearances as Milan won the league title last campaign
The LaLiga giants have been entrenched in a financial crisis, restricted from signing priority transfer targets Robert Lewandowski, Bernardo Silva and Raphinha.
However, with Kessie’s transfer announced and Andreas Christensen’s free deal set to be unveiled later this week, Barcelona may feel more inclined to finalise De Jong’s departure to Old Trafford.
Kessie is set to be unveiled at the Nou Camp on Wednesday morning.
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