Barcelona 'propose Franck Kessie, Marcelo Brozovic swap deal with Inter Milan'

Barcelona have reportedly contacted Inter Milan to offer the Italian giants the chance to sign Franck Kessie in exchange for Marcelo Brozovic.

Kessie arrived at Camp Nou on a free transfer last summer, with the Ivory Coast international running down his contract at AC Milan before moving to the Catalan giants.

Barcelona are believed to have beaten a host of major European sides to the 26-year-old's signature, but he has found it difficult to make his mark during the 2022-23 campaign.

Kessie has featured on 16 occasions in all competitions, but only eight of those have been in La Liga, and he has started just twice in the league this term.

According to Sky Italia, Barcelona have offered the Ivorian to Inter as part of a deal that would see experienced Croatian midfielder Brozovic move to Camp Nou.

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The report claims that the two sides are currently in discussions, but Inter are 'uncertain about the move', with the Serie A giants still undecided when it comes to Kessie.

The midfielder starred for AC Milan before moving to Spain, scoring 37 goals and registering 16 assists in 223 appearances for the reigning Italian champions.

Brozovic, meanwhile, was linked with a move away from Inter last year, but he ultimately signed a new contract in March, with the current agreement due to run until June 2026.

The 30-year-old has been restricted to just 12 appearances at club level this season, spending time on the sidelines with hamstring and calf injuries.

Barcelona are said to be long-term admirers of the Croatia international, who has managed 30 goals and 37 assists in 302 appearances for Inter in all competitions.

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Tottenham Hotspur have also recently been linked with Kessie, and a report claimed that the North London club had made an offer of £13.3m for the midfielder.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently insisted that the Ivorian would not be on the move this month.

"I don't have any intention of selling Kessie in January, he will continue to be important for us," Laporta told reporters. "We're happy with our squad, the players will continue to be important over the rest of the season."

However, the midfielder is down the pecking order in terms of the midfield spots, and there does not appear to be an obvious route for him into the first XI at this moment in time.