Everton have made an offer to Franck Kessie ahead of the expiry of his AC Milan contract but the player is unconvinced, according to Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Kessie has reportedly turned down the offer of an extension at the San Siro and made clear his intention to depart in the summer.

He's currently able to negotiate with foreign clubs with a view to potentially joining on a free transfer.

Landing Kessie on a Bosman deal would be impressive business given that the player is rated at £43.2million by Transfermarkt.

Stefano Pioli has used the Ivorian first and foremost as a defensive midfielder, but he can also operate as a box-to-box number eight.

The latest

Everton have reportedly proposed pre-contract terms to Kessie, though he isn't thought to be particularly keen.

The player was hopeful that teams towards the top of the Premier League would come in for him, but no such offers have materialised yet.

Instead, he's increasingly open to the idea of joining FC Barcelona, who have 'intensified' their efforts to sign him in recent weeks.

The verdict

It's no surprise that Everton are interested in Kessie, regarded as a near-complete midfielder by former Milan star Antonio Cassano.

Cassano says that Kessie 'scores, he assists, he doesn't lose the ball, he's intelligent' and claimed that he can be 'devastating'.

The problem is that it may just be a bit too ambitious. The Toffees, let's not forget, are fighting to avoid relegation, whereas Milan are in the midst of a Serie A title race and Barcelona are a club of similarly immense stature who will hope to be competing in next season's Champions League.

If Lampard can lure the 25 year-old to Merseyside though, he could form a monstrous midfield partnership with Abdoulaye Doucouré.

In other news, Everton could sell this academy product if the right offer arrives.