Transfer Talk: Milan star Franck would give Spurs' midfield the Kess of life

Tottenham are desperately scrambling to sign new players before Monday’s transfer deadline — and AC Milan star Franck Kessie is believed to be one of their top targets.

The midfielder, 25, has a burgeoning reputation in Italy with some terrific displays for the Rossoneri in recent years, which have also attracted the interest of Barcelona.

He looks set to leave Milan when his contract expires in the summer, with clubs all across Europe looking to strike a cut-price deal for the Ivorian.

As Kessie prepares for his country’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash with Egypt, we look at what he would bring to his new club — wherever that may be.

Master of Milan

Milan have re-established themselves as one of Serie A’s big players in recent years and Kessie has more than played his part.

Joining from Atalanta on an initial two-year loan deal in in 2017, Kessie split opinion when he first arrived but the midfielder has gone from strength to strength since Stefano Pioli took over as manager in 2019.

A tireless defensive midfielder, Kessie is key to the high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system deployed under the Italian boss.

Excelling in using his ball-winning abilities as well as his powerful running from deep and expert distribution, Kessie’s qualities allow Serie A’s third-placed side to progress up the field and pose a threat in the attacking third.

Former Milan striker Antonio Cassano has been full of praise for the Ivorian, likening his impact to that of Yaya Toure at Manchester City.

He said last season: "I want Kessie in my team. He scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he is intelligent. I’m watching him carefully.

"He reminds me of the Yaya Toure of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact, he is holding Milan’s midfield alone."

And much like fellow countryman Toure, Kessie also has an eye for goal, netting 14 times in all competitions last season and a further five so far this term.

His potential Spurs role

Spurs boss Conte — formerly of Inter Milan — is thought to be a keen admirer of the Milan No79 and his eyes will have lit up at the news of him rejecting a contract extension.

The likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp are not the most mobile, so the addition of Kessie would do wonders to reinvigorate their midfield.

Gianfranco Zola, who was seen embracing Conte after Spurs’ 2-0 defeat with Chelsea on Sunday, has shed light on what the boss is looking for.

Zola said: "I think in midfield, they need to have more depth. Right now, he told me that he doesn’t have many players. And not many options. 

"I think they also need a different type of player in midfield, in my opinion. They probably need a midfielder that can provide goals, like Eriksen used to do for them before."

Kessie fits that bill and while the 3-4-3 formation predominantly deployed by Conte differs to the 4-2-3-1 he is used to at Milan, it would still see him operate in a two-man midfield more often than not.

In Milan, Sandro Tonali stays deeper in order to allow Kessie to get forward — it is easy to see how the same relationship could form with Hojbjerg, Skipp or Winks.

Record signing Tanguy Ndombele has flattered to deceive and looks to be on his way out. Kessie would bring the attacking threat the Frenchman poses but also the work off the ball that Conte has been craving.

Courted by the Catalans

Kessie holds all the cards this summer with his contract running down.

A new deal looks unlikely, so plenty of clubs are now scrambling to win the race for the 55-cap international.

Both a cut-price deal now or a free transfer in the summer seem like no-brainers for Spurs — if they can fend off interest from elsewhere.

Barcelona have emerged as strong contenders for Kessie, with the cash-strapped Catalans willing to wait until the summer to bring him in without a fee.

That option — which would see him finish the season at his current club — would be attractive to Kessie, who has spoken of his desire to end Milan’s trophy drought.

But the offer of Ndombele in return could sweeten the pill for Milan and let Spurs jump ahead of Barca in the queue.

Daniel Levy may have to break the bank to fight off the Catalans but this seems like a deal well worth doing — whether that be now or in the summer.