Arsenal are reportedly in contention to sign Atalanta BC midfielder Franck Kessie in the summer transfer window, agent George Atangana has revealed.
The 20-year-old, who is rated at £26 million has had a fine campaign with the Serie A outfit, who are still vying for a top-three finish to the league season.
Kessie, dubbed the next ‘Yaya Toure’, was earlier rumoured to have agreed to join domestic rivals AS Roma, but his agent suggests that this is not the case, although the Giallorossi hold an advantage in the player’s pursuit.
“Franck is close to many clubs and close to none,” Atangana told Rai Sport, via Metro. “I must admit that Roma have the advantage for Kessie, but we haven’t closed a deal yet because there are other top clubs interested who continue calling me.”
The representative also added that there are plenty of English clubs keen on his client with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City being the notable names on his list.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has worked well with French-speaking players over the years, and Atangana feels that this could play a part in Kessie’s potential move to the Emirates in the summer.
Kessie, who is a box-to-box midfielder by trade, has earned a regular spot with the Ivory Coast following Yaya Toure’s retirement from the national team.
He has also contributed to Atalanta’s brilliant league run this term with six goals and three assists to boost their chances of European football for next season.
Kessie’s team are currently placed fifth in the Italian Serie A with 58 points, six adrift of third-placed Napoli, who hold the final Champions League qualification spot.
