FC Barcelona Receive Formal Offer For Player From Saudi Giants

FC Barcelona have received a formal offer from Saudi club Al-Ahli for their midfielder Franck Kessie according to transfer market expert Gerard Romero.

Romero reports that the Saudi Pro League team have tabled a €20 million ($22 million) proposal for the Ivorian.

If that is accepted and Kessie decides to move, the 26-year-old would be paid €10 million ($11 million) a year by Al-Ahli.

Making the potential sale should be interesting to Barca, who need to offload players by the close of June 30 when their financial year ends.

Kessie arrived last summer on a free transfer from AC Milan, so accepting any amount of money for him represents pure profit for the Catalans.

A fortnight ago, however, SPORT reported that Barca would only accept an offer of €35 million ($38 million) for the midfielder, who the Catalans and Inter failed to successfully involve in a part exchange deal with Marcelo Brozovic.

Barca later lodged a €15 million ($18 million) offer from the Croatian according to the same Catalan newspaper.

Brozovic appears to favor a move to Barca above all, yet Cristiano Ronaldo’s current club Al-Nassr are attempting to turn his head.

While Barca can only offer Brozovic €6.5 million ($7.1 million) a season, Al-Hilal have tabled €20 million ($22 million) a year.

Brozovic wants €30 million ($33 million) a year from the Saudis according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

If Al-Nassr reject his demand this swings in Barca’s favor, but the Blaugrana are dependent on player sales to make the deal happen on their end.

This could push Barca to accept a lower fee for Kessie, who while already receiving less playing time than expected in 2022/2023, will fall further down the pecking order with the arrival of former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan joined Barca on a free transfer from the Champions League winners on Monday, and will likely partner Pedri in attacking midfield.

When Pedri became injured last term, Kessie was given an improved run in the first XI at the expense of Pablo Torre.

He was still overlooked for El Clasico, however, memorably scoring a stoppage time winner as a substitute in the 2-1 win that effectively tied up the La Liga title.

As soon as Pedri recovered from his knock, Kessie returned to the bench.

Romero’s report comes after one from Mundo Deportivo on Tuesday where it was explained that the “Saudi government” would make Kessie an “irresistible” offer.

This was reported as such because the Saudi government-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns Newcastle United in the Premier
PINC
League, has taken control of four of the country’s top clubs including Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli.

Kessie reportedly takes home €6.5 million a year in Catalonia, so the €10 million allegedly offered by Al-Ahli represents a considerable increase for him personally.

Now it remains to be seen if both the club and player accept the proposal.