Barcelona and Al-Ahli have reached a verbal agreement over the €15 million transfer of Franck Kessie, ɾєρօɾτs transfer expertFabrizio Romano.
The two clubs remain in contact to check the documents before signing the Ԁєɑł in the coming hours, Romano adds, while giving his τɾɑԀєmark ‘Here we go’ seal on the operation.
Kessie to sign a three-year contract with Al-Ahli
Kessie had initially been reluctant to leaveBarcelonathis summer, having joined the club only last year from AC Milan as a free agent.
But having accepted his fate, the midfielder held out for a transfer to the Premier League despite there being concrete interest from Juventus and Saudi Arabia.
As such, talks with Al-Ahli had stalled completely. But the player opened the doors to a move to the Middle East with no offer arriving from England, and talks picked up pace once again over the past couple of days.
Now, there is a total agreement between the two clubs, whileKessie has also agreed personal terms over a three-year contractuntil 2026.
Some media outlets suggest that he will receive wages worth around €20 million per season at the Saudi Pro League outfit.
An important Ԁєɑł financially for Barcelona
Romano states that the operation that will see Kessie join Al-Ahli will leave €15 million in Barcelona’s coffers.
There have been some contradicting claims regarding the price tag, though, with some journalists suggesting it to be €11-12 million whileToni Juanmarticlaims it to be a little lesser than €10 million.
Irrespective of that, though, it will be an important Ԁєɑł forBarçafrom an economic aspect as the entire transfer fee they receive can be chalked as net profit in the books since Kessie arrived for free last summer.
On top of that, the midfielder’s wages will also be cut from the salary mass.
Kessie is understood to be in Paris already, where his medicals will be held before the move to the Saudi Arabian club is finalised. An announcement could arrive today itself.
