---
title: "Newcastle: Franck Kessie a realistic target"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-franck-kessie-a-realistic-target/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-10-12T17:10:23Z"
modified: "2021-10-12T17:10:23Z"
---

# Newcastle: Franck Kessie a realistic target

**Liam Kennedy [has identified](https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-takeover-10-players-newcastle-united-could-sign-to-bolster-the-squad-3412832) AC Milan’s Franck Kessie as a potential target for Newcastle United.**

### The lowdown

Perhaps the key detail regarding Kessie is that he’s into the final year of his contract at San Siro. He [reportedly](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Milan/04-09-2021/rinnovo-contratto-kessie-ombra-psg-420966692618_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2FCalciomercato%2FMilan%2F04-09-2021%2Frinnovo-contratto-kessie-ombra-psg-420966692618.shtml) rejected the offer of a new deal from Milan in September.

Despite the uncertainty, Kessie [has started six games](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/277269/Show/Franck-Kessi%C3%A9) for the Rossoneri so far this season.

He’s averaged 2.6 accurate long balls, 1.2 tackles and 1.2 key passes per 90 minutes in Serie A (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/277269/Show/Franck-Kessi%C3%A9)).

The Ivorian has been hailed as [‘a complete player’](https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloeberesford/2021/02/16/franck-kessie-the-jewel-in-ac-milans-crown/?sh=2910941d38dd) by Milan boss Stefano Pioli.

### The latest

Kennedy, writing for [Newcastle World](https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-takeover-10-players-newcastle-united-could-sign-to-bolster-the-squad-3412832), runs through some ‘realistic and ambitious names’ which the Toon ‘could be looking at’.

Among them is Kessie, who would add ‘some much-needed defensive steel to the Magpies midfield’.

Kennedy hails the 24-year-old as a ‘super-talented’ and ‘dominating’ figure in the middle of the park.

### The verdict

This Newcastle squad is perhaps in need of a new defensive midfielder. [Steve Bruce thought so](https://theathletic.co.uk/2799733/2021/09/01/newcastle-transfers-at-least-willock-arrived-but-the-player-pool-is-inexplicably-weaker/) at the start of the summer window, but no deal was feasible.

Kessie is a specialist in the position and could transform it from an area of weakness to a real strength.

What’s more, his contract situation means Newcastle could try to sign him on a free transfer, though they will surely face stern competition.

**In other news, [this blockbuster managerial candidate has one vital condition](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-antonio-conte-would-want-recruitment-control/).**