Proposal made: Spurs have already attempted late move for 'sumptuous' £43.2m star - journalist

Taking to Twitter, Marco Conterio, chief editor of TUTTOmercatoWEB, has shared transfer news out of Tottenham involving AC Milan star Franck Kessie.

The Ivory Coast star has been a name long linked with a move to north London as his Milan deal continues to wind down.

Kessie is free to leave as a free agent at the end of 2021/2022 as things stand but the Rossoneri could still make a profit off his sale if they find a buyer for him before 11pm tonight.

Tottenham have been one of the big clubs tipped to make that happen throughout January but reporter Conterio has now shared a fresh update on Twitter.

According to the Italian journalist, Tottenham tried to insert club record signing Tanguy Ndombele in a last minute swap deal proposal to sign Kessie.

However, Milan’s response to this offer was a swift no as Ndombele now nears a move to Lyon.

“Background on Tanguy Ndombele finished at Lyon on loan for 3 million with right of redemption,” he explained.

“Tottenham tried to insert him in a proposal to get Franck Kessie right away. No from Milan to Spurs.”

The 25-year-old would’ve been a fine last minute move for Antonio Conte and transfer chief Fabio Paratici – especially going by his obvious quality and glowing endorsements.

Kessie’s manager, Stefano Piolo, has labelled the player ‘sumptuous‘ – with his 19 goals since the beginning of 2019/2020 coming as further evidence of his threat going forward.

Valued at around £43.2 million by Transfermarkt, Spurs could have feasibly signed him for a much cheaper fee if Milan opted to do business this month, but it appears they’re resigned to losing him on a free later this year.

Perhaps this is one Paratici could revisit in six months time.

In other news: Tottenham enter last gasp