Tottenham Hotspur 'make £13.3m offer for Franck Kessie'

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made an offer of €15m (£13.3m) for Barcelona's Franck Kessie.

The central midfielder moved to Camp Nou last summer after running down his contract at AC Milan.

Spurs were one of a number of clubs to be credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international when it became clear that he would be leaving San Siro on a free transfer.

Barcelona ultimately won the race for his signature, but he has found it difficult to make his mark for the Catalan outfit during the 2022-23 campaign.

Kessie has featured on 13 occasions in all competitions, but he has only started twice in La Liga this term, with a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order at the club.

© Reuters

The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, while he has only featured once in the league since the middle of October.

Kessie has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2026, but there is currently a host of speculation surrounding his future with Xavi's side.

According to Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez, Tottenham have submitted an offer of €15m (£13.3m) for Kessie in the hope of signing him during the January transfer window.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently insisted that he has 'no intention' of selling the Ivorian this month.

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

© Reuters

Kessie starred for Milan ahead of a switch to Barcelona, scoring 37 goals and registering 16 assists in 223 appearances for the Italian giants in all competitions.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte said after the 2-2 draw with Brentford on Boxing Day that he was hopeful of improving his squad during the January market.

"I think if there is the opportunity to strengthen the squad, we will do something. You know which is our policy, you know very well which is our policy," Conte told reporters.

"We will try to follow this policy and to improve the team.

"If there is the possibility to strengthen the squad we will do it. Otherwise, we will continue with these players, and I am happy with them."

Spurs will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.