Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessié ‘very flattered’ by Chelsea, Manchester United interest

Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Young Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessié continues to be in the spotlight. While he couldn’t quite inspire Cote d’Ivoire to advance to the knockout rounds at the Africa Cup of Nations last month, his performances for his club team have been key to Atalanta's impressive campaign in the Serie A. The Bergamo-based outfit are currently up in fourth place, the 45 points collected so far already matching the number of points they grabbed over the entire last season when they finished 13th.

Kessié has reportedly attracted the interest of Premier League powerhouses such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United as well as big Italian clubs AC Milan and Roma. The latter had been rumoured to have already signed the 20-year-old on a loan deal with a purchase agreement for the following summer. Meanwhile, Chelsea supposedly had a €25 million offer rejected.

But the way Kessié’s talking here, there’s no agreement in place with anyone.

"I read things in the press. I am very flattered that clubs of this level are interested in me. This proves that I'm having a good season, that I continue to progress. I don't want to go too fast."

"I don't know if my club has received any offers. I'm under contract. We'll see if we need to discuss anything. I like Bergamo. The city is nice, quiet, and I appreciate life in Italy, where I was well received."

-Franck Kessie; Source: So Foot via FourFourTwo

Kessie will have three years left on his current deal after this season, but if he keeps up his form the rest of the way, not even the rumored €40m price tag will be enough to prize him away from Atalanta.