MX23RW : Wednesday, May 1 01:56:41| >> :120:11149:11149:

Franck Kessie 'wants Barcelona stay amid lucrative Saudi Arabia interest'

Kessie 'wants Barcelona stay amid lucrative Saudi interest'
© Reuters
Franck Kessie wants to stay at Barcelona this summer amid interest from a number of Saudi Arabian clubs, according to a report.

Franck Kessie reportedly wants to stay at Barcelona this summer amid claims that he is the subject of lucrative interest from a number of Saudi Arabian clubs.

The Ivory Coast international made the move to Camp Nou on a free transfer last July, penning a four-year contract with the Catalan outfit.

Kessie featured on 43 occasions for Barcelona during the 2022-23 campaign, contributing three goals and three assists in the process, but he found it difficult to secure regular starts.

The 26-year-old was only named in the first XI on seven occasions in La Liga, with 21 of his 28 appearances in Spain's top flight coming off the bench.

There has been a host of speculation surrounding his future this summer, with several clubs believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation at Camp Nou.

Barcelona's Franck Kessie in action with Manchester United's Luke Shaw on February 23, 2023© Reuters

A number of Saudi Arabian clubs have been credited with an interest in Kessie, and Barcelona are said to be open to a sale due to their financial issues.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Kessie wants to stay at Camp Nou this summer, as he is confident that he can become a success at the club.

The report claims that the midfielder wants to spend at least one more season at Barcelona, who beat a number of clubs to his signature last summer.

The Catalan outfit's head coach Xavi is said to be keen to move Kessie on, though, in order to make room in the squad for another midfielder to arrive.

Franck Kessie celebrates scoring for Barcelona on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona have lost Sergio Busquets this summer, with the Spaniard leaving on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.

Ilkay Gundogan has arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City, but Xavi wants at least one more central midfielder, with Girona's Oriol Romeu currently being linked with a move to the club.

Kessie enjoyed an impressive spell with AC Milan ahead of his move to Barcelona, representing the Italian giants on 223 occasions, scoring 37 goals and registering 16 assists in the process.

Eric Garcia, Sergino Dest, Clement Lenglet are also among the club's players currently being linked with moves away ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Barcelona33227468392973
3GironaGirona33225669402971
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia33138123738-147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
13Sevilla33911134246-438
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


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