Barcelona Names Asking Price for Juventus Midfield Transfer Target

• Franck Kessie is expected to leave Barcelona this summer
• The Ivorian midfielder has been linked with a move to Serie A side Juventus
• Barcelona have named their asking price for the midfielder

Barcelona have given potential suitors of midfielder Franck Kessie a required boost in the pursuit of the Ivorian.

The Spanish champions recently slapped a price tag on the midfielder who now looks set to depart the Spanish club due to its hailing finance.

According to a Catalan paper SPORT, Barcelona has set the asking price at €15 million, which would represent a good bit of business considering he joined the La Liga champions on a free transfer about a year ago.

Juventus' potential bid for Kessie

Juventus were earlier reported to be willing to include Frederico Chiesa in a potential swap deal for Kessie.

However this report has since been marred by uncertainty around the forward within Barca’s management, and as such they would prefer a straight transfer.

What are the latest La Liga transfer rumours? Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid

Football

Italian media Gazzetta dello Sport also details how Juventus met with Barcelona ahead of their pre-season friendly in the United States to discuss a possible deal for Kessie, where the Spanish champion made it clear that they would accept a loan deal.

Both European clubs have started to draw up an idea which could either be a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy clause attached.

The Blaugrana however would prefer a full transfer and would want a fee in around €15m plus add-ons, whilst the Old Lady are hoping to spend a little less.

Kessie though is no stranger to the Italian Serie A. The midfielder made over 200 appearances during his time at AC Milan and crowned his departure with a scudetto win in 2022.

On the part of the player, reports have indicated that he is reluctant to make a return to Italy, instead preferring to test himself in either the Bundesliga or Premier League.

Real Madrid makes stance clear on Fede Valverde departure despite Liverpool Interest

Football

Kessie breaks 14-year-old record

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Franck Kessie has broken a record set by Sergio Busquets at Barcelona 14 years ago, during his UEFA Champions League debut.

The Ivory Coast midfielder became the fastest Barcelona player to score on his UCL debut with his 13th-minute strike against Viktoria Plzen.

The former AC Milan player beats Sergio Busquets' 15-minute Champions League debut goal against FC Basel in 2008.