Another West Ham summer transfer target bites the dust as one of our Europa League rivals seal the deal according to reports.
David Moyes has been linked with a host of central midfielders since his return to West Ham over two years ago.
And one of the first was AC Milan star Franck Kessie.
With Hammers legend Mark Noble retiring this summer, Declan Rice’s future the subject of incessant speculation and Alex Kral failing to impress Moyes during his loan, the Scot knows he must bring in a new central midfielder as part of a big summer rebuild which could require as many as 10 new signings.
One midfielder who has very much been on Moyes’s radar since his return to West Ham is AC Milan’s Kessie – as previously reported by the likes of The Evening Standard and The Mirror and Milan Live.
Kessie is a stocky, powerful box-to-box player who has proved he knows where the goal is too.
The midfield ace’s contract at Milan is up this summer and his refusal to sign a new deal has seen the Ivory Coast star linked with a host of clubs including West Ham.
Kessie is one of the most attractive free transfers on the summer market.
Given Moyes has been tracking Kessie for so long and desperately needs a host of new additions in the next window, getting the 25-year-old on a free would have been amazing business for West Ham.
Another West Ham summer transfer target bites the dust as Europa League rivals seal deal
The powerful all-action ace is perfect for the Premier League.
But West Ham’s hopes of a summer deal have been dashed.
Because yet another West Ham summer transfer target bites the dust for Moyes as Europa League rivals Barcelona are said to have sealed a deal instead.
As widely reported, Kessie’s future will be with Barcelona – the side West Ham could face in the Europa League semi-finals.
The alleged Moyes target has signed a four-year deal with Barca according to the likes of The Guardian.
He has already reached a verbal agreement with Barca over terms and will receive a net annual salary of £5.4m, not including bonuses.