Aston Villa taking a keen interest in Ivory Coast international – Club want to sell, player prefers PL move

Aston Villa are showing a keen interest in midfielder Franck Kessie, who Barcelona are looking to move on, potentially this week.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who cover the player today and a potential move to Villa Park in the coming weeks.

They explain that Barcelona hope to close an ‘important sale’ this week and everything indicates that the player chosen to do so will be Kessie.

They believe they can secure a ‘significant amount of money’ from selling the player and, despite reports believing he could be on his way back to Italy, sources have told MD his next destination is likely to be the Premier League.

The Ivorian has already agreed to make a move to England if he has to leave the Nou Camp and prefers such a switch over a return to Italy, where he considers his time as done.

Thus, Barcelona are pushing in that direction as they believe that clubs in the Premier League can give them the money they want.

Several sides have shown an interest, including Aston Villa, who have been busy rebuilding under Unai Emery this summer.

The Spaniard has already been given big funds to bolster his squad and has used them to sign the likes of Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans.

Kessie would be another big money acquisition, particularly with Barcelona determined to get as much as they can to balance their books and open up space for signings of their own.

Aston Villa’s hierarchy are backing Emery to the hilt, though, and as far as MD are concerned that means they’re very much in the mix for Kessie.