Fabrizio Romano has reported that a midfielder Tottenham Hotspur were heavily linked with in 2023 is now available in the summer transfer market.
Tottenham have been busy strengthening their squad this summer, with Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai all arriving at N17.
Spurs are looking at further midfield reinforcements, with Morgan Gibbs-White potentially joining Tottenham and Joao Palhinha also in Spurs’ sights.
Now, a “devastating” midfielder Antonio Conte was eager to bring to Tottenham two years ago could be on the move this summer.
Franck Kessie in line to leave Al-Ahli
The player in question is Franck Kessie, who has spent two years at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli after stints at Barcelona and AC Milan.
Tottenham were linked with Kessie for much of 2022 as well as the start of 2023. It was reported in the January transfer window that Kessie was Conte’s first-choice midfield target.
Links between the two went away as Kessie stayed put at Barca until the summer of 2023, when he moved to the Saudi Pro League.
However, Tottenham could potentially get a second chance with Kessie, according to Romano’s latest report.
Fabrizio Romano understands that a good proposal for both club and player could see Kessie leave Al-Ahli, with Fiorentina and others joining the race.
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Fulham are in the picture for Kessie.
READ MORE: ‘Complete’ Tottenham target has extended his contract, he’ll be up against Spurs this season
What Franck Kessie could bring to Tottenham
Kessie was one of the best midfielders in the Serie A during his time at AC Milan.
The Ivory Coast boasts numerous strengths including skills on and off the ball, shooting ability, physicality and defensive nous, especially when it comes to tackles and interceptions.
Former Milan head coach Vincenzo Montella previously said of Kessie, as per Rossoneri Blog: “He’s extraordinary, he has sublime intelligence.”
Meanwhile, Antonio Cassano said in 2021, as per MilanLive: “I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he is intelligent.
“I’m watching him carefully, against Roma he was devastating.
“He reminds me of the Yaya Toure of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact. He is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”
Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr both struggled last season, so there’s certainly scope to bring in a player of Kessie’s calibre and experience to Tottenham.
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