Barcelona coach Xavi confirms he’s never thought about letting Franck Kessié leave in January: ‘I like him and he offers us many alternatives.’
The former Milan midfielder had been linked with a move to Inter in the winter transfer window.
There were reports that the Nerazzurri and Barcelona were in talks over a potential swap deal involving the Ivory Coast international and Marcelo Brozovic.
However, Xavi confirms he never thought about letting Kessié leave in the winter transfer window.
“I’ve never thought about his exit,” he said at a press conference as quoted by Sport.
“He is a footballer I like because he can offer us many alternatives. He played brilliantly, especially against Ceuta.”
Kessié joined Barcelona as a free agent in June after the end of his contract with Milan.
He hasn’t been a regular starter at the Nou Camp this season, amassing two goals in 19 appearances across all competitions. Overall, he has played only 782 minutes with the Catalans since the start of the season.
A former Atalanta midfielder, Kessié won the Scudetto with last season before joining Barcelona. He has played 204 games in Serie A, scoring 41 goals.