According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie is in contact with former AC Milan teammate Hakan Calhanoglu over a possible transfer to Inter Milan in the summer.
Calhanoglu left AC Milan for Inter in the summer of 2021 and has grown into a pivotal part of the Nerazzurri outfit. Kessie, whose contract with the Rossoneri expired last summer, is believed to have spoken to the Turk about a move to Inter back then but eventually joined Barcelona.
However, the Ivorian has struggled to take off in Catalonia, failing to establish himself as a regular in Xavi Hernandez’s setup. It led to intense speculations over Kessie’s future in January, with Inter Milan showing major interest.
The Nerazzurri were keen on signing him and it was believed that Barcelona would be open to the transfer if Marcelo Brozovic was sent the other way. However, in the end, nothing materialised and Kessie stayed put at Camp Nou.
While he has seen slight improvement in terms of his involvement, the report states that his entourage remain unhappy with his role. Meanwhile, Inter remain interested in signing the 26-year-old and have made contact with his representatives again.
At the same time, Kessie, as per the report, is still exchanging messages with Calhanoglu about the club.
Xavi recently insisted that Kessie has a role to play in his plans. But given that Barcelona might need to make sales in the summer due to their Financial Fair Play problems, the Ivorian could be seen as a sacrificial lamb.
Inter Milan remain open to offers for Brozovic and hold an interest in Kessie. So, whether there is the possibility of the touted swap deal being rekindled remains to be seen.
Irrespective of that, Inter continue to hold an interest in the Barcelona midfielder and the player himself could be open to a move if things do not improve for him at Camp Nou.
