Barcelona continues to retool their first-team squad amid the Xavi revolution at the Camp Nou and has added another big name to their ranks in the vein of star AC Milan and Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié.
Here we go. After verbal agreement reached days ago, Franck Kessié has signed as new Barcelona player until June 2026 – it’s gonna be four year deal, he joins as free agent from AC Milan. 🔵🔴 #FCB
Kessié will receive €6.5m net salary plus add-ons. Medical already completed. pic.twitter.com/9kFCIPJXn5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 22, 2022
But the race to secure his signature was not a cut and dry one, as multiple Premier League clubs were also in the hunt for the former Atalanta Bergamo starlet. The allure of working under Xavi was too great for Kessié to ignore, however, and now Milan will be stripped of arguably their most influential presence in the heart of the midfield.
Kessié is just one of a number of top-level players across Europe that are set to potentially walk on free transfers this summer, in a list that includes the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Antonio Rüdiger, Andreas Christensen, and Noussair Mazraoui. His addition into the Barcelona midfield could truly push the Xavi-led rejuvenation at Camp Nou to the next level.
Milan close on a deal for Divock Origi
Despite losing Franck Kessié, Italian giants AC Milan are still looking toward next season and have set their sights on adding a new center-forward into the team under boss Stefano Pioli and are said to have closed the gap to a deal for Belgian international Divock Origi.
Divock Origi’s more than tempted by AC Milan contract proposal to sign him on a free. Talks in progress with his agents in order to complete the verbal agreement as soon as possible. 🔴 #ACMilan
Liverpool board knows there are huge chances for Origi to leave as free agent.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 21, 2022
What’s more, is that Liverpool is under no illusions that they could well lose the 26-year-old Oostende-native, especially under the pretenses that the only two true center-forwards on the books at the San Siro come by way of 40-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic and 35-year-old Olivier Giroud.
📰 @NicoSchira: Divock #Origi to #ACMilan as a free agent. Agreed personal terms for a 4-years contract with a salary by €3,5M. The belgian striker has received 3 others bids from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, but has chosen #Milan. Timing confirmed. Paperworks time. pic.twitter.com/chIq008b4m
— Milan Posts 🏆🇮🇹 (@MilanPosts) March 22, 2022
