According to Diario Sport, Barcelona have retired from the race to sign Franck Kessié because of the player’s economic demands.
The Ivory Coast international sees his contract expire at the end of the season and is unlikely to commit his future to the Rossoneri.
According to reports in Italy, Kessié wants a salary in the region of €8-9m, while the Rossoneri won’t offer more than €6m plus add-ons.
Several clubs have been linked with securing his services in the summer, but according to Diario Sport, Barcelona are no longer in the race to sign the 25-year-old.
The midfielder’s economic demands are described as ‘exorbitant’ and Barcelona can’t afford to match them given their financial struggles. The Catalans offered Kessié a €5m-a-year deal which Kessié and his agent reportedly turned down.
According to the report, several Premier League clubs are still in the race to sign Kessié and so is Juventus.
Last month, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Inter would also make their move to sign the former Atalanta star at the end of the season.