Tottenham doing best impression of early bird in pursuit of Ivorian

Tottenham have upped the ante on their pursuit of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessié in an attempt to avoid a bidding war with numerous other clubs in the summer. 

According to a Telegraph piece yesterday, Spurs are intent on acquiring their marked man in the next 10 days, prior to the close of the transfer period. Kessié’s contract expires in the summer and there is no shortage of would-be suitors.

PSG and a host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, are said to be in the running to secure the Ivorian’s services. Landing the 25-year-old will be no easy feat, even if Spurs commit to their early-bird ploy.

Kessié wants a substantial raise on his £69,000 per-week salary, requesting more than double his current earnings. That would put him in the same tier as Son Heung-min, Tottenham’s third highest earner.

But at least Tottenham are in with a fighter’s chance of signing him if they act now. Though a seemingly inconceivable notion, Kessie’s salary demands might increase more at the end of the season. Based on his current ambitious request, I’m not really sure how.

The other side of the coin will see clubs en masse join a bidding war Spurs would not win. If they want Kessie, now’s their chance. And he would make a substantial, immediate splash on the first team, paving the way for an increased likelihood of Spurs Champions League qualification. Then the gamble to buy now would have paid off.

MIlan will probably set their price tag between £40 and £50 million. His current valuation on Transfermarkt.com is about £40 million.

Of course in football nothing is guaranteed, but Spurs are making the right choice with the information at their disposal. If not now, then Spurs should prepare themselves for never.