Aston Villa could be set to deal with a European heavyweight this January, in what could see their midfield revamped…
What’s the latest?
As per transfer insider Dean Jones, the interest that Johan Lange holds in Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie would mark a huge upgrade on John McGinn.
With Unai Emery looking to lay down a marker with a dream first signing, a Spanish publication reported that they will battle with Fulham for the Ivorian this January.
Jones then told GIVEMESPORT: “I find them quite difficult players to compare, but having Kessie in the midfield would definitely be an upgrade on having McGinn in there, based on recent form from McGinn anyway.”
Dream signing
With the new boss unsurprisingly having been linked with a host of new players to join him in his revolution, this link seems to be one that could hold weight given Kessie’s lack of action at the Spotify Camp Nou.
He has only featured 13 times in all competitions this campaign but did notch up his first goal in a Champions League win over Victoria Plzen.
The 25-year-old earned the majority of his plaudits for his displays for AC Milan, where he remained a stalwart in the engine room as they won their first Serie A title in 11 years.
Featuring 31 times, he even chipped in with six goals - suggesting that despite his defensive expertise he can provide an offensive boost too.
The £151k-per-week general even ranks in the top 6% of midfielders in Europe's big five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area, whilst he made an average of 1.3 tackles in a season where he achieved a 7.07 SofaScore rating.
Labelled “a tank of a player” by journalist David Amoyal, there is little worry that he would acclimatise to the physical demands of English football.
An addition of pure power in the Villa midfield would be a welcome one for Emery, who could see him as a dream addition alongside or instead of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn.
It would be a huge statement signing for the Spaniard, to attract someone from such a prestigious club to join his project.