Franck Kessie will not be leaving Barcelona this summer despite alleged interest from Premier League duo Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, the La Liga star’s agent George Atangana explains.
Whatever happens from here on in, the Ivory Coast international will always have Sunday night at the Camp Nou to look back on with pride.
Kessie’ stoppage time strike during Barcelona’s 2-1 Clasico victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid lifted Xavi’s side 12 points clear at the top of Spain’s top flight; the La Liga trophy almost certain to be wearing blue and red ribbons come May.
Kessie, who joined the Blaugrana from AC Milan last year, is quietly becoming a key part of Xavi’s plans in Catalonia. That has not stopped the speculation spreading like wildfire, however.
Tottenham and Aston Villa reportedly like Barcelona’s Franck Kessie
Sport believe that Aston Villa and Fulham offered bids of around £12 million during the January transfer window. Recent reports, meanwhile, have suggested that Tottenham will be the former Atalanta star’s destination.
But that is news to Atangana, Kessie’s agent growing frustrated with these eternal rumours.
“Some news is starting to get annoying,” Atanagana says in quotes reported by Calciomercato.
“We want to be very clear on this; the possibility that Kessie could leave Barcelona is like hoping that a snake will suddenly have legs.”
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Barring a weird quirk of evolution, you can probably discount venomous adders swaggering around Las Ramblas any time soon.
“It’s the world upside down,” Atangana adds. “Kessie plays, plays wonderfully well. He scores goals, enters Barca history by signing goal number 3000 (at the Camp Nou) and someone finds the courage to divulge delusional information.”
That stoppage time winner vs Carlo Ancelotti’s Real was Kessie’s first ever in La Liga. There are certainly worse times, and worse ways, to open your Barcelona account; Xavi’s side picking up a 22nd win from just 26 games this term.
“Franck has never been as happy as he is now,” Atangana said a couple of months ago. “He has achieved a goal that, for many players, remains only a dream, which is to play for Barcelona. And I challenge anyone to say otherwise.
“It’s only a matter of time (before he becomes a key player for Barca).
“Everyone at Barcelona is very happy with the player. And I want to clarify once and for all that a departure from Barcelona is not planned today.”
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