Liverpool are plotting a move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie as the club continue to search for Gini Wijnaldum's replacement.

What's the story?

The Reds will reportedly offer the 24-year-old a deal worth £7m-a-year in an attempt to lure the box-to-box midfielder away from San Siro, according to Italian outlet Sports Mediaset (as reported by the Daily Mirror).

However, the report claims that Jurgen Klopp and co. face a tough battle to secure Kessie's signature, with Milan set to offer a £5m salary in order to try and keep the Ivory Coast international in Serie A.

Kessie has just one year remaining on his current contract with the Rossoneri, and talks over an extension are thought to be at an impasse.

Jurgen Klopp will love him

Following the departure of Wijnaldum, several well-known stars have been linked with a move to Anfield as Klopp attempts to adequately replace the Netherlands international.

And bringing in Kessie is a deal that makes sense for multiple reasons. The stocky dynamo has cultivated an enviable reputation during his time in Italian football, and his playing style appears to naturally suit Liverpool's preferred approach.

The Milan ace's mix of pace, energy, technical ability and eye for goal make him the ideal fit for Klopp's preferred gegenpressing setup, meaning a move to English shores could be on the cards.

His impressive performances for Milan in recent years have earned several plaudits, including ex-striker Antonio Cassano, who even compared him to a previous Premier League great.

“I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he is intelligent. I’m watching him carefully, against Roma, he was devastating,” he said (via MilanLive).

“He reminds me of the Yaya Touré of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact, he is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”

Kessie really caught the eye last season, bagging 13 goals and providing six assists in 37 top-flight appearances, achieving a highly respectable 7.15 WhoScored rating along the way.

Whether the combative midfielder can be tempted to join Liverpool remains to be seen, but the £49.5m-rated maestro has the assets required to slot straight into Klopp's system, and could help propel the Anfield outfit back to the summit of English football.

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