Jump directly to the content
KEEP IT FRANCK

Chelsea transfer news: Blues in more talks with Franck Kessie but Atalanta desperate to keep midfielder until the summer

Chelsea have already had a £21.5m bid rejected for the 20-year-old Ivory Coast starlet

Sponsored by

CHELSEA have held more talks with Ivory Coast starlet Franck Kessie, according to reports in Italy.

The Blues have already had a £21.5million bid for the midfielder rejected, with Atalanta desperate to keep hold of the 19-year-old until the summer.

 Chelsea have held more talks with Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie
3
Chelsea have held more talks with Atalanta midfielder Franck KessieCredit: Getty Images
 The Serie A club want to hold on to the teenager until the summer - or get £34m for him
3
The Serie A club want to hold on to the teenager until the summer - or get £34m for himCredit: Getty Images

Atalanta are said to be holding out for £34m to sell him during the winter window.

Kessie, who has been dubbed the 'new Yaya Toure', already has six goals this season.

In September, SunSport dubbed him one of the five hottest prospects to watch out for in Serie A this season.

He is seen as someone who would fit perfectly in Conte's system, as he is dynamic on the ball, a hard worker off it and blessed with superior athleticism.

Speaking at the end of December, agent George Atangana revealed that a number of Premier league clubs are chasing him.

He said: “We have a lot of interest from the Premier League – Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.

“I cannot say at this stage how much he will cost but we are talking about one of the best young players in the world.

 Kessie would fit well into Antonio Conte's system
3
Kessie would fit well into Antonio Conte's systemCredit: Reuters

“But for us the most important thing is that the technical project is the right one for him. Franck is very young so we have to be very careful about his development.

“Chelsea are very interested and it is a great club but we must take our time to consider all the options.

“Now we are in January so he has to play at the African Nations Cup for Ivory Coast so I am not going to rush anything.”

Topics