Contract talks between AC Milan and midfielder Franck Kessie are in a dead end over salaries, while Liverpool can get started if the problems are not ironed out.
The Ivorian – who joined Milan in 2017 – currently has Olympic service and will only resolve his club situation once back in Italy from Japan.
But when his current deal expires in 11 months, the news of a less-than-smooth renewal process has encouraged freer that the door may be open for the 24-year-old to move.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Kessie, after an excellent campaign with Rossoneri 2020/21, is determined to secure a salary increase. The report claims that the midfielder currently earns € 2.2 million (€ 1.8 million) net per year, but wants the figure to rise to around € 6 million (€ 5 million) – or € 115,000 per week.
But given the current economic climate, Milan are not prepared to match their player’s salary demands. The club reportedly opposed Kessy’s proposal with an offer of less than 4 million euros, which put the negotiations on hold.
The news has given hope to Kessy’s many admirers, who will be looking for a price agreement across the line given that his contract is currently ending in 2022.
Liverpool are such an interested party, after losing Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer.
The Dutchman’s absence has left a hole that needs to be filled in Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Ateltico Madrid’s Saul Niguez also a goal.
Kessie would be a similar solution and is in the typical age group for an FSG signing.
The midfielder enjoyed the best season of his career so far during Milan’s promising 2020/21 campaign. The Ivorian scored 13 goals and six assists in Serie A last season, which helped his team to the Champions League qualifiers.
Regardless of what happens to Kesse’s contract situation, it is likely that it will not be arranged before he returns from the 2020 Olympics – where his goal gave the Ivory Coast a 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia.
However, Liverpool have already looked at their problematic midfield position and signed Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig for a reported £ 36m earlier in the window, while Jarrod Bowen and Ismaila Sarr have both recently been linked with Klopp’s side to provide depth going forward.
