Liverpool midfield target forced out by Barcelona as La Liga giants ready to say yes to latest offer
Barcelona are reportedly ready to ‘press ok’ on a move to Juventus for Franck Kessie, though the midfielder wants to be able to choose his destiny, with Liverpool waiting in the wings.
Liverpool have been interested in Kessie for some time. A recent report suggested that both they and Tottenham had submitted offers for the midfielder.
That’s disputed in the latest developments, as reported by Spanish outlet Sport. While they report Spurs are interested and Liverpool ‘could enter the bid’, they state the only offer for him so far has come from Juventus.
That could see the Italian giants win the race, despite the fact Kessie himself is ‘waiting for a proposal from the Premier League’. Indeed, the report states he has ‘opened the door to leave’ and Barcelona seem to be on the same page.
However, the midfielder also apparently wants ‘to choose his destiny’. Barcelona seem unbothered about where he ends up, as the report suggests they will ‘press ok’ on a move to Juventus ‘if there are no last-minute movements’, likely due to the fact they’re said to be the only team who has bid, as per Sport.
That could force either or both of Liverpool and Tottenham into action. Indeed, they’ll now both be aware that if another bid fails to come in, they’ll lose out on Kessie to Juventus.
In the Reds’ case, there’s reason to suggest they very much won’t want that to happen. Six midfielders have exited Anfield this summer, five of which permanently, including regulars Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
The trail of Romeo Lavia seems to have gone cold, and Fluminense could lock down defensive-midfielder Andre to help their chances of a first ever Copa Libertadores triumph.
With that being said, Liverpool still require reinforcements in midfield, and potentially a few at that. Sport suggests Barca want just £13million for Kessie.
Given the Reds might have a few more recruits coming through the door, a good player joining on the cheap would be a great move for them.
As such, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were to come in with an offer before such point that Juventus are able to complete the signing of the Ivorian.
They won’t have long to do so, though, as Barcelona apparently want everything ‘defined by the beginning of next week’.
