Kessie: Milan-Inter, Barcelona on him, De Vrij leaves

Stefan De Vrij and Franck Kessie: the protagonists of the derbies of the last four seasons are at the end credits. The Dutch Inter defender and Milan’s Ivorian midfielder have been at the crossroads for months and (for different reasons) their respective negotiations for the renewal have now ended on a dead end. But if there is a strange silence around the Nerazzurri, instead, rumors about the Rossoneri’s contacts follow one another: in particular those relating to Barcelona. The Catalan media have been devoting a lot of attention to the President since mid-January, just four months after the expiry of the contract with the company in via Aldo Rossi.

The figures

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The latest drafts refer to an increase in the blaugrana club up to 6.5 million euros net, after a first proposal of 5.8 million euros. And it is a threshold in line with the expectations of the player and his representative George Atangana. It is true that in recent months the offers of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara roughly reflected these economic values. But it is equally evident, at this point, how much the diplomatic misunderstandings have weighed. To be clear: Kessie had already expected recognition in previous championships, even when he was on the verge of being sold to Monaco. Obviously Milan had other concerns at that stage (Donnarumma and Calhanoglu) and the passage of time certainly did not help the parties to clear the field of misunderstandings. Let’s add the fascination of the technical challenge: that of carving out a space in the Pantheon of the tiqui taca. Xavi and the new managers of Laporta are aiming for a renewal (with a lot of reorganization) and in the midfield of next season they intend to insert a piston that responds precisely to Kessie’s identikit. Everything suggests, therefore, that the next few weeks will be decisive to understand if the new home of the imperturbable Franck will really be in Catalonia. Stefano Pioli continues to defend him and relies on his professionalism.

Fans divided

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At the same time, however, the Rossoneri world was much less understanding, also thanks to some of its performances well below the usual standard. Let’s say that the public was divided, given that very polemical banners appeared in the corners towards him. And in this exciting season finale, the mood of the fans can take on a certain importance. Just to give an example, the AC Milan people appear much more lenient with Alessio Romagnoli, who is also in full-blown contract. In this case, however, the slowdown is clearly linked to the choice of the Rossoneri leaders to propose to the former captain a sharply lower renewal: from 6 million net to 2.8 more prizes. In the meantime, the left-handed Anzio has avoided any kind of release on the subject-renewal, suggesting that he is attentive to the possibility of prolonging the bond with his current club. Signs of fidelity that allow everyone to experience this delicate phase without particular conditioning.

The conversion

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Returning to the Inter front, there is a certain similarity with Ivan Perisic, the Croatian who in recent months had always dribbled the renewal argument. Instead in February the left-handed from Split changed his mind, he decided to sit down to negotiate with Marotta and Ausilio. Updates are expected, but this availability does nothing but cheer up the whole environment. A spark that has not so far been triggered for De Vrij. The Dutchman still has another year on his contract with the Viale della Liberazione club and this (paradoxically) only complicates the situation. Before Covid there had been some dialogue tests, then, everything ended up in oblivion. Also because the player has always had the aspiration to complete his career in the Premier League. This season his performance was less brilliant and this could also be due to this strange precarious situation. Everyone knows that in the summer he could leave, but so far no offers have actually arrived. He is a nice puzzle. There is no denying it.