The agent of Barcelona star Franck Kessie has, on Thursday, shut down rumours surrounding an imminent move away from the club.
Ivorian international Kessie, of course, opted to take his talents to the Camp Nou last summer.
Following the expiration of his contract with Serie A champions AC Milan, the 26-year-old linked up with the Blaugrana, hopeful of building on the kind of form which had seen him long considered one of Italian football’s best in the middle of the park.
All told, though, Kessie’s time in Spain has since proven to be largely underwhelming.
Amid Barca’s charge towards the La Liga title, the one-time Atalanta standout has been afforded starts in just four fixtures.
This, of course, comes amid fierce competition for places in Catalunya, with all of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi too at the disposal of Xavi Hernandez.
Barcelona, Spain. 12 October 2022. Gavi and Pedri look on during the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale. Credit: Nicolo Campo/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
The last couple of months alone have seen the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea all tipped as potential destinations for the 60-time capped international.
As alluded to above, however, if the latest comments on the part of Kessie’s camp are anything to go by, then, in fact, it appears as though he will not be on the move any time soon.
After their client endeared himself to the Barcelona faithful in spectacular fashion courtesy of a last-gasp winner in the latest edition of El Clasico last weekend, Kessie’s agency released an unwavering statement on Thursday evening, adamant that the two parties have no intention of going their separate ways in the summer:
“We denied a possible transfer of Kessié, same for player and club — but fake news is annoying.
“Possibility that Kessié may leave Barça in the next transfer market is the same as hoping that a Snake may suddenly have legs next summer.
“Kessié plays, plays wonderfully well, scores goals, enters Barça history by signing goal no. 3000 and someone finds the courage to divulge delusional information.
“Franck has been clear, Barça too: he wants to stay”.
Franck Kessié agency: “We denied a possible transfer of Kessié, same for player and club — but fake news is annoying”. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
🐍 “Possibility that Kessié may leave Barça in the next transfer market is the same as hoping that a Snake may suddenly have legs next summer”. pic.twitter.com/rP2hiaXhAG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 23, 2023
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