Arsenal transfer: Gunners reportedly in pole position for ‘devastating’ star

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are leading the chase to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie during the summer transfer window, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Serie A giants could be forced into selling their 24-year-old midfield warrior.

Talks have stalled over a new deal and AC Milan could be tempted to cash in on the player.

Kessie’s deal will expire next summer and the Ivory Coast international is wanting a deal worth £100,000-a-week.

The big obstacle might come with the transfer fee. Milan are wanting a fee in the region of £42 million for Kessie’s services.

Last season was a good one for the 44-cap star. He scored 14 goals and claimed six assists as Milan finished second in the league.

Kessie has been at the San Siro since 2017 when he checked in from Atalanta.

He’s proved a decent servant to the Italian club, playing 184 times since signing and largely playing really well.

Arsenal will look at a number of players this summer as they aim to progress on the field.

Last season they finished eighth in the Premier League and reinforcements are definitely required.

Yves Bissouma and Ruben Neves are two names to have been linked with Kessie now in the mix too.

Arsenal will oversee a number of departures too. Granit Xhaka is set to leave, as is Matteo Guendouzi.

That will leave Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny in the midfield ranks and new players will be sought.

Arsenal need to pounce for Kessie

The Gunners are in desperate need of some real midfield quality and Kessie could thrive in the Premier League.

He is strong in the tackle, passes the ball well and perhaps crucially chips in with goals from midfield.

Former Italy player previously called Kessie ‘devastating’ and compared him to Yaya Toure.

He told Milan Live: “I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists and he doesn’t lose the ball. I’m watching him carefully against Roma and he was devastating.

“He reminds me of Yaya Toure.”

Those comments could bode well for Arsenal. As a result, the club should pull out the stops to land Kessie this summer.