Express
Manchester United may be able to take advantage of Barcelona’s dire financial situation by poaching Franck Kessie on a sensational free transfer to complement the expected addition of Adrien Rabiot over the coming weeks. The Red Devils are thought to have struck an agreement at club level with Juventus over a move for Rabiot, who has emerged as Erik ten Hag’s top midfield target after the Dutchman conceded defeat in his pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
Personal terms still need to be agreed upon in ongoing talks with Rabiot’s camp, but it seems as if his proposed switch to Old Trafford is well and truly on and could be completed in the not-too-distant future. United could also decide to find the ideal midfield partner for Rabiot by raiding Barcelona for the services of Kessie, who only joined the Catalan giants at the end of last season after leaving AC Milan.
United were one of several clubs to have been linked with Kessie before he eventually settled on a move to the Nou Camp, with the Ivorian midfielder penning a four-year deal upon his arrival in Spain. However, the scale of Barcelona’s current financial crisis may see Kessie leave the club in search of pastures new before even making a La Liga appearance, according to ESPN.
It is said that Barcelona are worried about the possibility of Kessie walking away from his new surroundings if he cannot be registered in time for this weekend’s opening-day match against Rayo Vallecano. The club have not been able to complete the necessary paperwork for any of their new signings as of yet, which could reportedly allow the midfielder to execute a get-out clause in his contract if the matter is not resolved before Saturday…
