)
Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie is on the verge of joining Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli to team up with fellow African stars Edouard Mendy and Riyad Mahrez
Barcelona’s Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie is reportedly set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli after rejecting advances from English side Tottenham and Italian giants Juventus.
Kessie set to join Al Ahli from Barcelona
The former AC Milan midfielder was thought to be disillusioned with his lack of playing time at Barcelona after one season at the club, leading him to seek alternatives elsewhere,
Kessie played 43 games for Barcelona in the 2022/23 season but started only 16 games, and did not accumulate up to 2,000 combined minutes of play in all competitions, leaving the midfielder dissatisfied with his time in Spain.
The Ivory Coast international reportedly had opportunities to move back to Italy with Juventus or pitch his tent in the Premier League with Tottenham but instead opted for a move to the rising Saudi Pro League with Al Ahli.
Kessie joins league of stars with Al Ahli move
According to Fabrizio Romano, Kessie will join the Saudi Arabian club from Barcelona in a €15m deal to become the latest addition to the Saudi Pro League’s roster of stars.
At Al Ahli, he will join former Premier League stars Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, and Allan Saint-Maximin as The Royal Saudi club aim to make a big impact in their first season since being promoted from the second division.
Kessie will be glad to put an end to a miserable spell at Barcelona, while the Catalans will be glad to receive some income from the transfer as they continue their fight to remain financially viable and abreast of LaLiga’s financial fair play rules.
Related content
)
23:58 - 03.08.2023
Ex-Barcelona staff jailed for sexual assault
An unnamed former Barcelona employee will face up to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a former colleague
)
23:37 - 03.08.2023
Barcelona drop out of top 10 clubs in UEFA rankings
Barcelona are no longer a top 10 club in Europe according to UEFA
)
17:35 - 03.08.2023
Tottenham want Nigerian youngster to replace Harry Kane
Harry Kane could leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, with Bayern Munich in pole position to sign the England star.
)
09:59 - 03.08.2023
Barcelona president supports Ighalo, reveals why Ronaldo and others moved to Saudi Arabia
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has aimed a dig at several top players who have chosen to swap European football for the Middle East.
)
08:34 - 03.08.2023
Inter Miami continue Barcelona Old Boys reunion with Jordi Alba's unveiling, presentation
Jordi Alba was unveiled before the game against Orlando City before he made his debut for Inter Miami later on.
)
19:36 - 02.08.2023
Revealed: Ronaldo, Mane, Benzema headline Top 10 highest-paid footballers in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia welcomed a host of big-name footballers to the Middle East this summer while offering them mouth-watering paychecks for their services.
)
15:20 - 02.08.2023
Barcelona reportedly discussing transfer move with Man City for Joao Cancelo
According to reports, Barcelona are negotiating with Manchester City for defender Joao Cancelo after his loan spell ended with Bayern Munich.
)
13:59 - 02.08.2023
Barcelona star Pedri not looking to leave Camp Nou amid PSG link
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri has claimed that he wants to remain at Camp Nou despite reports linking him with a move to Paris Saint Germain.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)