Barcelona Demand €20 Million For Franck Kessie Amid Interest From Saudi Arabia
Barcelona are in a state of paralysis in the transfer market. The Catalans cannot secure any new arrivals until they find an outlet for surplus players, and their situation is complicated by players’ reluctance to leave.
Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres are two such players who refuse to budge despite the club deeming them saleable. As it stands, Franck Kessie appears to be the only one willing to step out of Catalonia in search of more minutes.
The Ivory Coast international wishes for a more prominent role next season, and Barcelona cannot assure him the same. After all, his importance in the team will only reduce after the arrival of Ilkay Gundogan and the possible signing of Oriol Romeu.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona ask €20 million in exchange for the midfielder’s services, and Saudi Arabia appears to be his most probable destination.
Al-Hilal have been negotiating with the Azulgranas for a while now and were even said to be in the driver’s seat.
However, now Al-Nassr have now entered the equation. The club that recently snapped up Marcelo Brozovic from Barcelona’s grasp now hope to add Kessie to their roster and have begun negotiations.
As it stands, the offer from Saudi Arabia are well below the value Joan Laporta quotes. The offers to have arrived at the club offices are below the €14 million mark and much remains to be negotiated. Yet, one would not expect the €6 million deficit to hinder an approach from the economically well-off Saudi Arabian teams.
If the Catalans can confirm Kessie’s departure in the coming days, they could use the economic leeway to incorporate the likes of Ivan Fresneda. After all, the Real Valladolid star is desperately waiting for a reply from the Blaugranas keeping offers from Italy and Germany on hold.
