The_Guardian_-_2016-12-29

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Chelsea
Chelsea’s £21m offer for midfielder Franck
Kessié rejected by Atalanta
• Ivory Coast international valued at £34m by his club
• Agent claims interest of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal
Franck Kessié has scored six goals in 16 appearances for Atalanta this season. Photograph: Tiziana
Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
Atalanta have rejected a €25m offer from Chelsea for Franck Kessié, with the Ivorian midfielder’s
agent claiming there is also interest from several other Premier League sides including Liverpool,
Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Kessié, who spent last season on loan at Cesena, has been in outstanding form as Atalanta have risen
up to sixth place in Serie A after 18 games. The 20-year-old has scored six goals in 16 appearances,
leading to comparisons with a compatriot, Yaya Touré.
David Squires on … football in 2016
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Kessié has been be selected in the provisional Ivory Coast squad for the African Nations Cup this
week having become a regular in Michel Dussuyer’s side in recent months. A proposed move to
Sunderland in August broke down after he was denied a work permit but his new status as a regular
international and one of the highest-rated young midfielders in Italy should mean that is no longer an
obstacle to any move to England.
Chelsea are keen to find a replacement for the Brazil international Oscar, who completed his move to
Chinese Super league side Shanghai SIPG for £52m this week. However, Kessié’s agent George
Atangana has confirmed that their initial bid was rejected by Atalanta, who are thought to value their
prized asset at around €40m (£34m).