Franck Kessie has been consistent for AC Milan in recent times (Getty Images)
According to Calciomercato (h/t Birmingham Live), Wolverhampton Wanderers are keeping close tabs on AC Milan midfielder Frank Kessie.
The Ivorian has been a target for the Nuno Espirito Santos-led Wolves for quite some time now, with the Premier League side trying to land him since last summer (h/t Birmingham Live).
They even approached him this winter, however, no deal materialised for the 23-year-old (h/t Birmingham Live), who joined AC Milan permanently last summer after a two-year loan stint at San Siro from fellow Serie A side Atalanta.
Kessie has been a regular at AC Milan since his maiden season with them in 2017-18. The Ivorian powerhouse played 37 out of their 38 league matches that season and scored five goals.
He emulated his performances in his debut season by netting seven goals and assisting twice in the following campaign. A successful loan outing saw Kessie earn a permanent move to the San Siro and he has been a vital member of the AC Milan side this season also.
His consistent displays in the middle have seen him grow as one of the side’s first names on the teamsheet despite still being young. He has featured 23 times for the Rossoneri this season and has a goal and assist respectively to his name.
A first-team regular, Kessie is now on the radar of Wolves, who are in the lookout for some new reinforcements ahead of next season (h/t Birmingham Live). Wolves, meanwhile, have experienced one of their best campaigns in recent times, with the club sitting an impressive sixth in the league at the moment.
They are just five points short of fourth-placed Chelsea and were fighting for a Champions League spot before all games were suspended due to the coronavirus crisis.
Kessie’s potential arrival at the Molineux would help ease the burden upon their defensive midfielder Ruben Neves, who when given freedom likes to go upfront and notch up a goal or two. Moreover, considering his age, Kessie would be an excellent future replacement for veteran Joao Moutinho, who is already 33 now.
Though Moutinho is still one of Wolves’ best players in midfield, Kessie’s arrival will give Nuno plenty of options to choose and rotate in the middle. Thus, Wolves should continue their pursuit of the young Ivorian and land him at the Molineux as soon as possible.
With Moutinho almost reaching the final days of his career, ushering in young Kessie seems like a wise move by Wolves. Moreover, having proved his mettle at the highest level, it would not take Kessie much time to adjust to the new surroundings in England. Hence, he would be an excellent future replacement for Moutinho.
