Speculation has suggested that Franck Kessie’s future at Milan may be in doubt, with FFP concerns and an ability to raise crucial funds from his sale coming into consideration.
Ultimately, given how heavily Gennaro Gattuso has relied on him since being appointed, the Milan boss will undoubtedly be keen to see him remain.
While he has publicly insisted that Hakan Calhanoglu will go nowhere while he’s still in charge, as noted by Football Italia, it’s likely to be a similar scenario for Kessie.
Nevertheless, rumours are beginning to circulate over his future with Calciomercato noting that Chelsea, Tottenham and Beijing Sinobo Guoan are all interested in the Ivorian international while it’s suggested that Milan could accept a bid in excess of €45m.
Ongoing FFP concerns as well as the profit that could be made on Kessie coupled with the financial flexibility that such a sale could provide make a strong argument as to why we might have to make a sacrifice.
So, the question is whether or not we can afford to sell Kessie or if he’s too important to lose?
The 22-year-old made a staggering 54 appearances last season, scoring five goals and providing six assists. So far this season, he has three goals and two assists in 21 games in all competitions.
Kessie is crucial for us. His physical presence, tenacity, energy, pace and power make him a fundamental figure to have in any side, and as evidenced by how heavily he’s been relied upon since he arrived, it’s clear how important he is.
However, the key question is whether or not he has developed and improved as expected. Has he improved in the final third with his finishing and decision making? Does he impose himself on games with his physicality and energy and make the most of his talents? Should he be dominating games by now given how much potential we believe him to have?
Ultimately, these have all become viable questions for many and so if a €45m+ bid was to be put on the table, is it worth considering?
Lucas Biglia is expected to return from injury against Genoa, while Lucas Paqueta arrives next week to begin a new chapter in his career in Italy. Add on top of that the impressive turnaround that Tiemoue Bakayoko has had during his loan spell, it perhaps even asks the question if Kessie will still be a starter by the end of the season?
SportMediaset note how sacrificing Kessie in a €50m deal could allow us to secure Yannick Carrasco in January, while MilanNews report via Il Giornale that contact has been made for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with a summer swoop potentially on the cards.
Could Kessie help solve other glaring issues in our squad? It would certainly be disappointing to lose him as he’s a top talent, an important figure for us and a likeable character. However, sporting director Leonardo may have a decision to make for the good of the team and that could mean a sale and a major sacrifice materialises.