Liverpool seem to have another new name on their transfer radar in the shape of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.
The Ivorian ace joins a long list of stars already linked with filling the void left behind by Gini Wijnaldum at Anfield and could well be the most advanced yet.
After interest was initially reported by Gazzetta Dello Sport on Thursday, there have been further developments coming out of Italy.
According to journalist Claudio Ramondi on Sport Mediaset, as cited by Sport Witness on Twitter, the Reds have put their cards on the table.
Twitter: Franck Kessie | Claim Liverpool have offered complete midfielder a ‘huge’ wage packet – Trying to take advantage of… https://t.co/g74QwzJy8B (@Sport_Witness)
The Italian claims that the Reds are willing to pay as much as €8million (£6.83million) per season as salary after being in contact with agent George Atangana.
Currently away with the Ivory Coast at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, it’s believed that the 24-year-old’s representatives are due to sit down with the Milan hierarchy to discuss a new deal.
Capped on 44 occasions by the African nation, Kessie has already established himself as a mainstay for both club and country in the last 18 months.
Last season was the ace’s most productive to date, scoring 13 goals and adding six assists in 37 Serie A outings.
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Valued at £49.5million and in the final 12 months of a deal at the San Siro (Transfermarkt), it comes as little surprise that Liverpool would look to swoop this summer.
Whilst a fee would still be expected, if contract negotiations fail in Italy the Reds will want to be poised to make a move for the man described as the ‘complete player’ by Milan boss Stefano Pioli.
Perhaps most impressively, Kessie has only missed one game in the last three seasons – an enviable record that would endear Jurgen Klopp immensely to the signing.
After many have been linked, the Ivorian could actually be the ideal Wijnaldum replacement.
