Player 'agrees' transfer after Aston Villa and Man Utd claims

AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie has reportedly agreed a deal with Barcelona.

The Ivory Coast midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and able to sign for another club on a free transfer when the current campaign ends. Kessie has been linked with a move to Aston Villa, who are expected to sign a new defensive-minded midfielder in the summer.

Villa want to bring in a player who can anchor Steven Gerrard 's midfield with Yves Bissouma and Kalvin Phillips, of Brighton and Leeds United respectively, both linked with a move to Villa Park. Kessie, 25, has been with AC Milan since 2017, having initially joined on loan from Atalanta before making a permanent move two years later.

Milan are top of Serie A but it is being reported that Kessie wants a new challenge and joining Barcelona on a free transfer means his wages will likely increase too. Reports in Catalonia claim that a deal has been struck between Kessie, who was also linked with a move to Villa's Premier League rivals Manchester United, and Barcelona.

Whether Barcelona will be able to register the deal to bring Kessie to the Nou Camp is another matter. Barcelona have been told to generate income or slash their expenditure in order to bring in players with La Liga confirming the club were in a negative cap for expenditure.

If Villa make Philippe Coutinho 's loan move permanent then that will swell Barcelona's coffers by £33 million. "I think you all know what I think of him but this is not as straightforward as people think," Villa boss Gerrard said of signing the Brazilian.

"There is obviously an option in place, Barcelona still own the player. Phil has got to obviously want to be here in terms of the big picture but he is enjoying his football and