Tottenham Hotspur target Franck Kessie says he wants to stay at AC Milan

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t The Sun), Tottenham transfer target Franck Kessie revealed his future plans. The Ivory Coast international has revealed that he wants to stay at AC Milan forever, stating that he is “proud” and not planning on leaving AC Milan.

The report adds that rumours about his future were started after the 24-year-old wanted a big increase in wage. The player’s current deal  with Milan expires next year. The Italian side are working on an extension, while Kessie is on international duty at Tokyo Olympics.

On Franck Kessie

Atalanta’s youth team signed Kessie in 2014. He spent a year on loan at Cesena, before returning to his parent club in 2016. Kessie went to make 31 first-team appearances for Atalanta, netting 7 goals and 2 assists. 

AC Milan signed Franck Kessie in June 2017. The deal was initially a two-year loan. However, the deal included an obligation to buy, which they exercised in 2019. The central midfielder has so far made 184 appearances for AC Milan, scoring 30 goals and 15 assists. 

Rumours about a potential switch to Tottenham surfaced last month when his agent, Massimo Brambati, claimed that Spurs were keen on signing him (h/t football.london)

However, his recent interview hints that he is happy at AC Milan. 

“I want to stay at AC Milan forever. I’m proud of this club and I’m not planning to leave AC Milan, absolutely.”

Spurs’ midfield depth

While the Kessie ship seems to have sailed, new manager Nuno Espirito Santo would not be short of options in midfield. The Portuguese has the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko in his squad.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was a prominent figure of Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham. The midfielder played every single minute of Spurs’ 20/21 Premier League campaign. He was a central figure of the Denmark side which reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020.

With Oliver Skipp also back at the club after an impressive loan spell at Norwich City, Nuno certainly has plenty of options at his disposal.