PSG will likely beat Real Madrid to free agent midfielder, but that’s OK

Real Madrid will be in the hunt for some free-agent deals in the 2022 summer transfer window. PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe is clearly at the top of the list, and he is the most important signing Los Blancos could possibly make. After him, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Chelsea center back Antonio Rudiger look like the next two targets, assuming these two Premier League stars are still available.

But there are more deals to be found next summer. In addition to Pogba, another standout in midfield has been linked to Real Madrid, and that player is Franck Kessie.

After Pogba, Kessie is the best midfielder on the market. At the age of 24, the Milan man may even be the best value. He had a great 2020-2021 season and is picking up where he left off for the Rossoneri this season. Kessie is Milan’s main penalty taker, so he has found the back of the net twice, following up an incredible 13-goal, 4-assist 2020-2021 campaign.

However, Kessie is probably not going to go to Real Madrid. There is another team that is more interested in signing him, and they already made major free-agent acquisitions this past summer, including the world’s next great goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and veteran midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

PSG look like the favorites to sign Franck Kessie

Yes, PSG, Real’s new rivals after the Mbappe saga of the summer, are in hot pursuit of the Ivorian midfielder. Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna reports that the Ligue 1 giants top the list of likely suitors for Kessie. They appear to be the favorites and have already met Kessie’s representation on multiple occasions. Kessie appears keen to leave, and if that’s the case, he could even sign a deal with PSG this winter.

Real Madrid appear to be in the race, based on earlier reporting from AS, but Kessie does not seem to be a priority target for the Royal White club. Pogba is a true superstar in world football and is likely Florentino Perez’s dream, in addition to a player coveted by French national teammate Karim Benzema. 

If Los Merengues want to go with a younger option in midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni may be their favorite option. And while he will not be cheap, he is a more promising player and a better fit for the club than Kessie.

While Kessie is a good player who brings a unique skill-set to the table, Madridistas should not be worried if he ultimately does settle on a deal with PSG. Real have other targets in mind and will not worry too much if Kessie is off the table before they can truly settle on their preferred midfield options for the next galactic transfer class.