Kessie says Milan goodbye ahead of Barcelona transfer
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 27 May 2022 20:44 BST
- 5 min read
Franck Kessie has confirmed that he will leave Milan this summer, with the Ivory Coast midfielder destined to complete a transfer to Barcelona.
The 25-year-old is a free agent when his contract ends on June 30, meaning he can move to any club he reaches a deal with.
Kessie has long had an agreement in place with the Catalan side, with president Joan Laporta effectively confirming as much. However, no deal has officially been confirmed.
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The midfield is, however, leaving Milan, as he confirmed via his Instagram page on Friday.
Posting in Italian and French, he wrote: “After five years, I could not hope to finish this great experience in a better fashion! A special feeling: we are champions of Italy!
“I’m proud to have worn this glorious shirt and to have shared this voyage with fantastic companions! Thank you for everything! Thank you to everyone!”
What will Kessie bring to Barcelona?
Kessie is a box-to-box midfielder who has enjoyed a stellar campaign with Milan, featuring 39 times in all competitions and scoring seven goals.
He is a player at his strongest in possession. He retains possession well but also performs impressively when driving into space.
On the defensive side of the game, he is noted for his strong position and is also solid when it comes to recovering possession, though he has a weakness in terms of pressing the ball, which could prove to be an area that Xavi will seek to improve when he completes his transfer to Camp Nou.
Reports in Spain differ regarding when Kessie will be announced as a Barcelona player, with some suggesting it could be a matter of days while other state that it could be a longer wait.
