West Ham controlled the game but not the result at Cardiff City, and now find themselves in Tuttosport, per CalcioMercato, linked with a move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.
The Italian football news site are repeating claims in the Monday, March 11 edition of Tuttosport that suggest the Hammers are showing a keen interest in the 27-cap Ivory Coast international, but note that it is unclear, bordering on unlikely, whether the San Siro outfit would sanction his departure.
At present, the 22-year-old is only on loan with the sleeping giants of Serie A, but Gennaro Gattuso’s club hold an obligation to buy in the summer for a fee of €24million (£20.6m).
Milan have also already waved away an approach by Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018, when Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit offered an alleged €40m (£34.5m) plus bonuses.
Wolves were also rejected by the central-midfielder, and if we have any hopes of turning his head towards the Premier League, it is believed we would have to offer AC Milan €60million (£51.7m) up front and rival Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham for his signature.
Kessie would warrant that price tag, though, as he would complete a dream midfield for Pellegrini, as the Ivorian is a driving force through the centre in Italy and would form a balanced and effective partnership with Declan Rice.
The 22-year-old may not have many goals or assists to show for his efforts – four and one respectively – but the 6-foot midfielder has registered 23 interceptions, 36 successful dribbles, won 31 aerial duels, and played 37 key passes in 25 Serie A games this term.
Out of the midfielders currently at the London Stadium to have played a central role, only Declan Rice has more interceptions (39 in 27 games) and aerial duels (51), with no Hammers regular out-ranking Kessie in dribbles or key passes.
