Report: Tottenham target at odds over £2m-a-year difference; Conte wants him in January

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Reported Tottenham target and AC Milan midfielder, Franck Kessie, is still at loggerheads with the Italian side over a £2m difference in the wage demands and those on offer.

Last week, it was claimed that Kessie was close to agreeing a deal to sign for Antonio Conte and Tottenham. Of course, since then, things have gone quiet, with the international break taking centre stage for now.

However, Tottenham’s hopes of landing Kessie remain high after reports from Tuttomercatoweb claimed that the Ivorian and AC Milan are still miles away in their negotiations. TMW say that Milan have offered Kessie around £5.5m-a-season.

But the midfielder, who is well-known to Conte, is apparently holding out for closer to £7.5m-a-year. That sort of pay packet would put him among the very top earners at Spurs, if he did sign.

Kessie, 24, is out of contract in the summer. His agent knows full well he can demand a nice wage given he will be a free transfer. But whether Spurs bow to these demands, remains to be seen.

TBR’s View: Tottenham have to be sure on Kessie before going in big

While Tottenham will save on a fee when it comes to Franck Kessie, they also need to make sure he is the right fit. Conte will, of course, know exactly who he wants and why.

But giving out big contracts comes with big responsibility and risk. It’s imperative, then, that Spurs get this one right.

Of course, Kessie would be a good signing for Tottenham. He’s been excellent in Milan. He has a touch of class about him, but also that other side to his game where he isn’t afraid to muck in.

Conte loves those sorts of player. So if he sees Kessie as a good fit for Tottenham, then you can be he’ll be pushing Paratici and Levy to do the deal.