FC Barcelona have, on Monday, announced their first signing of the 2022 summer transfer window.
In a statement, they said: “FC Barcelona and Franck Yannick Kessie have reached an agreement for the player to join Barça after the end of his contract with AC Milan. The player will sign a contract until 30 June 2026 and his buy out clause will be set at 500 million euros.”
✍️ Barça sign Franck Kessie until 2026!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 4, 2022
Kessie, 25, would join AC Milan from Atalanta on a permanent basis in July of 2019 after a loan spell at the club.
All told, Kessie featured on 223 occasions for the Rossoneri, scoring 37 and assisting 16 in the process.
The Ivory Coast international continued to be a key cog in Milan’s side this past season, scoring seven and assisting one in 39 games.
Kessie will be presented as a Barcelona player on Wednesday, July 6, and will take part in his first press conference that day.
What next for Barcelona?
After finally announcing Kessie, Barcelona will now turn their attention towards Andreas Christensen.
The centre-back is a free agent after his contract with Chelsea expired, but he is yet to be announced as a Barcelona player due to the club’s financial woes.
Outside of Christensen, Barcelona are also believed to be interested in Leeds United winger Raphinha, though La Blaguarna’s ability to afford such a deal is in doubt.
