Barcelona Squad Set To Be Boosted As $49M Star Completes Medical [Details]

FC Barcelona are reportedly close to securing AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie ahead of the 2022 summer window.

Kessie has already completed his medical tests with Barcelona in the Swiss city Lugano. A verbal agreement has already been reached between the two parties regarding a four-year contract that would see the Ivory Coast national earn a net salary of around $7.1 million, reported Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who has a credible record in the soccer transfer window.

Barcelona’s offered salary is nearly $2 million more than Kessie’s current wages at AC Milan, according to SempreMilan. However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently. The report has further claimed that before leaving the San Siro side, he wants to ensure the team qualifies for next season’s Champions League and win the Serie A title if attainable, along with a domestic title in Copa Italia.

As of now, AC Milan are three points clear at the top of the 2021-22 Serie A. They were held at a 0-0 draw by rivals Inter Milan in the first leg of their semi-final tie in Copa Italia. Kessie and Co. are two wins away from sealing the domestic title, which would be his first trophy with AC Milan in five seasons.

AC Milan first roped in Kessie from Atalanta on loan. After spending two seasons at San Siro on loan, AC Milan signed the Ivorian midfielder permanently. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has been a regular member of the AC Milan side, has netted six goals and an assist in 30 competitive games this season. He recorded his career-best figures, 13 goals in 37 league games, in the 2020-21 campaign.

Considering their financial issues, securing talent such as Kessie on a free transfer is a steal. Otherwise, Kessie’s current market value is around $49 million, according to Transfermarkt.

With the arrival of head coach Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona are undergoing a transition phase. The last few weeks have seen a massive turnaround as the Catalans are unbeaten in 12 competitive matches across all competitions.

After spending quite some time in the second half of the points table, Barcelona have now climbed to No. 3 in the 2021-22 La Liga table. Barcelona recently thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 at Santiago Bernabeu in the league.