'Showing ambition' - Aston Villa 'in for' £43.2m powerhouse | OneFootball

Aston Villa have shown they mean business by entering the race to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Villa were Europe’s sixth biggest spenders during the January transfer window, but head coach Steven Gerrard is already looking at potential targets ahead of the summer.

What’s the latest news involving Kessie?

According to the Express, Villa are willing to rival Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Kessie.

The report suggests Barcelona are ready to offer the £43.2million-rated man a lucrative five-year deal as they look to win the race for his services, but that has not stopped Villa Park chiefs identifying Kessie as a target of their own.

Real Madrid have also coveted the 25-year-old and reportedly opened discussions shortly after the turn of the year.

Kessie’s AC Milan contract, worth £69,000-per-week, is due to expire in the summer and the Italian giants have been unable to negotiate fresh terms.

As a result, Villa and other suitors outside of Italy have already been able to enter discussions ahead of a potential pre-contract agreement since the turn of the year.

Despite the uncertainty over his future, Kessie has remained a regular starter for AC Milan and made more than 210 appearances.

What has Pete O’Rourke said about Kessie?

O’Rourke believes Villa have shown they are looking to make solid progress under Gerrard by setting their sights on signing Kessie, who has been described as ‘devastating’.

However, the journalist has warned the Midlands club may be frustrated in their efforts to welcome the 52-cap Ivory Coast international to Villa Park.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It shows the ambition of Aston Villa that they’re in for somebody like Franck Kessie.

“I don’t think they’ll be top of his priority list right away.”

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Why is Kessie of interest to Villa?

Gerrard made it clear he was keen to strengthen his central midfield options by lodging a bid to sign Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus, only to see the £20.5million offer rejected.

Villa then suffered an additional blow when the Uruguayan ended up joining Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day of the January window.

There are also question marks over Douglas Luiz’s future as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano – via The Sun – has claimed Arsenal could make a summer move, so powerhouse Kessie could prove to be a replacement if that switch comes to fruition when the window reopens at the start of July.