Liverpool look to have been handed a crushing blow to any hopes of signing AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie this summer.
The 24-year-old was the latest high profile name linked with taking over from Gini Wijnaldum in Jurgen Klopp’s squad as a contract in Italy entered the final 12 months.
Currently away with the Ivory Coast at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, it was left up to the star’s representatives to handle contract negotiations at the San Siro.
However, Kessie has seemingly brought a swift end to the speculation surrounding his future by revealing to Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, a desire to stay in Milan.
Twitter: Franck Kessié: “I want to stay at AC Milan forever. I’m proud of this club and I’m not planning to leave AC Milan,… https://t.co/9Nc1M3Gbag (@FabrizioRomano)
The 44 times capped Ivorian had featured prominently in recent days as the Reds continue their hunt for midfield reinforcements.
This latest admission could end the speculation and see Klopp move on from the ace with 13 goals and six assists in 37 Serie A outings last season.
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Undoubtedly a huge shame for Liverpool.
Signing Kessie for anything below the star’s £49.5million market value (Transfermarkt) would’ve been another example of shrewd business this summer from Michael Edwards.
As it is the recruitment team may have to revert their sights back to the likes of Renato Sanches, Yves Bissouma and Saul Niguez in the hope of landing another central midfielder.
