Franck Kessie Joins Al-Ahli in £10.8m Move, Snubs Tottenham Interest
In a surprising turn of events, Franck Kessie, the 26-year-old football sensation, has officially sealed a deal with Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli. This move comes after speculation regarding Kessie’s potential transfer to English clubs Tottenham and Liverpool during the summer transfer window.
Al-Ahli has secured Kessie’s services for a fee of £10.8 million, making him the fifth European player to join their ranks. He will now share the pitch with notable names like Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, and Alain Saint-Maximin. Al-Ahli, a club under the ownership of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), operates alongside other Saudi football powerhouses like Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal. The PIF, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to bolster the nation’s economy by diversifying revenue sources beyond oil.
Kessie’s journey has been quite the rollercoaster. After his move to Barcelona last summer, he quickly found himself out of favor with manager Xavi Hernandez. Despite his initial struggles, Kessie remained determined to prove himself and declined a transfer offer from Tottenham in January. His commitment to fighting for his spot at Barcelona persisted, but opportunities to secure a regular starting position were scarce.
With no official bid materializing from Tottenham, Kessie’s fate took an unexpected turn as he agreed to join Al-Ahli. This move not only adds depth and talent to the Saudi Pro League but also solidifies the lineup alongside stars like Firmino, Mahrez, Mendy, and Saint-Maximin.
As the football world watches this intriguing transfer, it remains to be seen how Kessie’s journey with Al-Ahli will unfold.
