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

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.

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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.

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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.