Barcelona summer signing set to remain at Camp Nou until the end of the season

Following the departure of Memphis Depay, there has been a lot of talk over the future of Franck Kessie, with many expecting him to become the second player to leave Barcelona in this January transfer window.

The Ivorian has been notably linked with a move to Inter Milan, while Chelsea, too, are considering him as a potential alternative for top-target Moises Caicedo.

However, according to Diario SPORT (h/t FCB World), Kessie is set to remain at Camp Nou until the end of the season. He has not received any offers from clubs so far and as such, there are no signs of his possible departure from Camp Nou this month.

The report suggests the midfielder’s valuation will be decided in the summer. It appears the player himself wanted to continue at Camp Nou for the second half of the campaign despite struggling to establish himself as a first-team regular.

Formerly of AC Milan, Kessie joined Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer. But since then, the midfielder has fallen out of favour under Xavi Hernandez, with the Spanish tactician favouring the likes of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and even Gavi.

Kessie’s struggled had led to speculations over his long-term future at the club. But it appears the Ivorian will continue for another six months, possibly with the desire to fight for his place in the side.

Regardless of his fortunes, though, Barcelona should not find any difficulties finding a suitor for Kessie, who is still rated highly due to his work-ethic, aggression and versatility in the middle of the park.

Barça, though, will be hoping Kessie can live up to his expectations during the second half of the campaign, knowing it could go a long way in helping them move on from Busquets and become less reliant on the likes of Gavi and Pedri.