Barcelona are reportedly on the brink of agreeing a deal to sign Franck Kessie on a free transfer from AC Milan, a move which will put a spanner in the works of both Arsenal and Manchester United, who had also been courting the midfielder.
Kessie looks set to leave Milan at the end of the season with his contract expiring in the summer.
The Ivory Coast international has held negotiations with the Serie A club throughout the season but no breakthrough has been made, paving the way for his exit.
There have been plenty of suitors eyeing a move for the 25-year-old, including Tottenham who tried to make an offer to him in January.
However, Kessie turned them down as he wanted to assess his options prior to his contract expiring and it appears he has made his choice.
According to Sport, a deal has ‘practically’ been clinched with Barcelona over a free transfer that will occur in the summer.
The Blaugrana see Kessie as the ideal player to bolster their midfield with his physicality seen as an attribute that has been missing in recent years.
Barca also expect several departures in the next transfer window from midfield, with the likes of Frenkie de Jong , Nico Gonzalez and Riqui Puig linked with exits.
But the signature of Kessie at the Nou Camp would be a detrimental blow to United and Arsenal, who had been increasingly hopeful of landing the player.
Both are in need of the Milan star’s services after five fine years at the San Siro - the first two of which were on loan from Atalanta.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add some steel to the middle of his pitch despite the improved form of Thomas Partey with his numbers still light.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is still adjusting to the Premier League, Granit Xhaka is too inconsistent and indisciplined while Mohamed Elneny could be on his way out.
United are perhaps in more dire need of Kessie with a defensive midfielder after years of being without such a player.
Ralf Rangnick has already told his bosses at Old Trafford that the position needs to be fulfilled as soon as possible.
But if Barcelona sign Kessie, it will leave both Premier League clubs empty-handed while the Red Devils already have other targets, though they might be more expensive.
Declan Rice of West Ham remains high on their shortlist but David Moyes has priced the England international at £100m while RB Leipzig star Amadou Haidara is also being eyed.
