Everything Barca
Fansided

Barcelona star not interested in Saudi move

By David Wyatt-Hupton

VALLADOLID, SPAIN - MAY 23: Franck Kessie of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on May 23, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
VALLADOLID, SPAIN - MAY 23: Franck Kessie of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on May 23, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie is not interested in making a move to the Saudi Pro League and instead intends to stay on and fight for his place in the Barca first-team.

As we mentioned here at Everything Barca a couple of days ago, Al Nassr had joined Al Hilal in the pursuit of the Ivorian midfielder, but that pursuit looks as though it will end in failure.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the 26-year-old has a good financial offer from a Saudi club, but he believes that leaving Barcelona after just one year is too early.

Kessie arrived on a free transfer last summer after seeing his contract at AC Milan expire. He joined the Catalan giants based on the insistence of manager Xavi, and while he didn’t have the season he was expecting, he did play a role in the La Liga triumph.

Kessie not keen on leaving Barcelona

Xavi has indicated to Kessie that he won’t be given a prominent role this year with other options on the table, but Kessie believes that his skill set is unique to the team and wants to fight for playing time.

Kessie is largely considered a defensive midfielder and acted in a double pivot while in Milan. Xavi tends to prefer to play just one defensive midfielder, and competition for those midfield places is intense. Especially with the arrival of İlkay Gündoğan from Manchester City.

The first year at a new club is usually the most difficult. You have to adapt to a new style of play, new teammates and a new environment, both professionally and personally. Uprooting your life and moving countries isn’t easy, and Kessie expects to be back to his best in his second year in Catalonia.

Although Kessie has indicated that he’s not interested in moving to the Saudi league, the report does suggest that he would be open to a move within Europe.

Mundo Deportivo names the Bundesliga and Premier League as the two preferred destinations.

If he were to receive a competitive offer from either league and Barcelona was happy to facilitate a transfer, a move could still be on the cards.

Next. PSG to move for Barcelona forward to replace Mbappe. dark

Home/FC Barcelona News