Liverpool handed transfer boost as midfield target Franck Kessie turns down new deal

Liverpool looking for midfield reinforcements

Liverpool had a quiet summer, only adding Ibrahim Konate to their side through the transfer window. However, they were dealt a blow as Giorginio Wijnaldum departed the club on a free transfer, joining French side Paris Saint Germain.

✍️🆕 #WelcomeGini@GWijnaldum

🔴🔵 #WeAreParispic.twitter.com/qHd7Se42cV

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 10, 2021

This has left Liverpool a man light in midfield, with Wijnaldum having played 51 times for Jurgen Klopp’s side last season, including all 38 Premier League games. The likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harvey Elliot are all capable of filling in, while Thiago is expected to make the step up to regular first-team appearances this season too.

However, none of those have the engine, or quality, of the departing Dutchman, and it seems as though he will need replacing come next summer.

Kessie hands Merseyside club boost

One of the names linked with Liverpool throughout the summer was AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who impressed for the Rossoneri last campaign. The 24-year-old Ivorian has made 184 appearances for the Milanese outfit, scoring 30 goals and assisting a further 15 in the process.

Still just 24, however, and with a transfermarkt value of 49.5 million pounds, he would not have come cheap last summer, while he is due to depart for the Africa cup of Nations in January 2022 too.

For the summer of 2022, however, the club may have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Kessie, as he has reportedly turned down a new contract in Milan. The deal is thought to have been worth 6.5 million euros per year, with the Ivorian demanding closer to 8 million euros.

📰 @carlolaudisa: Kessie has refused Milan’s latest offer of €6.5M/year. The midfielder could leave the Rossoneri either in January or June. PSG is following the player pic.twitter.com/FPrGDX5B9B

— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) September 3, 2021

With his contract up in 2022, Milan may be forced to cash in on their man in January, or lose him for free next summer should the situation remain the same. Can Liverpool take advantage?

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