Huge appetite but no money – Barca to sell Dembele and buy Kessie

Barca have no resources to bring in the best in the world – club president Joan Laporta does not even hide that Barcelona must focus on younger players. But they cannot rely only on teenagers, they need experience also, and as the Catalans failed to sign Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, they could now try with AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, as per reports of local outlet Mundo Deportivo.The Ivory Coast midfielder has been refusing to sign a new contract with the Rossoneri for a long time, and it was a well accepted rumour in Italy during the summer that he has some kind of agreement with Paris Saint-Germain. The Saints, meanwhile, signed Wijnaldum from Liverpool and the question is really do they need Kessie at all.An even bigger question is whether Barcelona – who failed to retain Ilaix Moriba, the new RB Leipzig player, in the previous transfer window – have the money to finance this kind of a deal?##NAJAVA_MECA_5890936##During the whole past summer, Milan tried to convince Kessie to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the season. The negotiations initially stated a 3.5-million-USD starting salary, then they even went to as much as 7.5 million. It was speculated at the time that Kessie’s representatives were asking for over 9 million USD fixed and another 2 million in bonuses.Even if the new transfer window arrives without a new contract being signed with the Rossoneri, Kessie will certainly receive offers from other clubs, since his performances at Milan are great lately. Alongside with Paris Saint-Germain, it has been speculated that Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool are also interested.Milan are still offering a new contract, but they are also scanning what is being offered on the side and are looking for an alternative. The 21-year-old midfielder of Olympique Marseille, Boubacar Kamara, whose contract also expires in the summer of 2022 – is scouted by Milan.Ronald Koeman needs a player like Kessie to strengthen the midfield, but it is unlikely that Barça will be able to sign him in January, and others could take advantage of that.On the other hand, Mundo Deportivo doubts that Barça will go after Rahim Sterling, even if he does not sign a new contract with Manchester City, since Memphis Depay and Ansu Fati are already covering that left side, and the Englishman is not ideal for the right attacking flank. Therefore, it would not be an great solution even if Ousmane Dembele left the Camp Nou.Sat, 16/10, 14.30: (9.50) WATFORD (5.50) LIVERPOOL (1.35)And as for the quick-footed Frenchman – Liverpool have reportedly already started negotiations to sign him on a free transfer next summer.Same source reports that the Reds are extremely keen to bring Dembele to Anfield and see him as the ideal player to rejuvenate their attacking options.Jurgen Klopp is allegedly ‘in love’ with the 24-year-old and Liverpool’s sporting director Michael Edwards has reportedly already made contact with Dembele’s agent.However, Liverpool cannot formally negotiate with Dembele until January 1, when he enters the final six months of his contract at Barcelona.Dembele is believed to earn a 14 million USD net salary at Barcelona and Liverpool would have to match the amount to bring him to Merseyside.After Dembele’s contract with Barca expires – because there would be no transfer fee to pay – reports claim Liverpool would offer him a lucrative signing-on bonus.##NAJAVA_MECA_5890959##Dembele signed for Barcelona in the summer market of 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for a basic fee of 120 million USD plus 46 million in various bonuses. Due to a number of injury problems, he has struggled for regular game time – in just over four years, he played 118 times for the Catalan giants. During the time he has recorded 30 goals and 21 assists.

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