Liverpool still reportedly in race for Franck Kessie despite Barcelona leading

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Liverpool do still want Franck Kessie on a free transfer, according to reports. They’re not the team leading the way, however.

This comes from Marca. They claim Barcelona lead Liverpool in the race for Franck Kessie this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain also in contention.

Kessie is available on a free transfer this summer as his contract with AC Milan expires. That will naturally make him an exciting target for many clubs around Europe – he’s a top player, after all. It’s no great surprise that Liverpool are one looking into the transfer, either, given they didn’t actually replace Gini Wijnaldum last summer.

But Kessie appears to like the idea of Barcelona. Marca say he’s in favour of a move there and the Catalonians lead the way here.

Liverpool want Franck Kessie

Kessie is a hugely talented player, capable of delivering all sorts in midfield. BBC pundit Pat Nevin described him as ‘very special’ back in December and we’d go along with that.

The Ivorian will win tackles, move forward with the ball, pass cleanly and inject energy into the side. It’s the kind of all-around role Liverpool lost with Wijnaldum’s exit – and they could do with it back.

And Barcelona aren’t the fierce transfer opposition they used to be. In fact, Wijnaldum is an example of that – Barcelona failed to get a deal done in 2021 despite things looking completely set.

We wouldn’t entirely rule this one out, then. While Liverpool certainly face an uphill battle to get Kessie, it’s not out of the question. A strong run of form – particularly, in Europe – over the second half of the season would convince any player.

But perhaps this comes down to current Reds as much as anything. If the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott establish themselves, Liverpool likely won’t see a need for Kessie. One to watch, then, but not straightforward by any means.