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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
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
17Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
RGranada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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