Chelsea have started talks to sign Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie this January, according to his agent.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Stamford Bridge with reports of interest from Manchester United.
Kessie has had an excellent season in the Serie A so far, scoring seven goals in all competition already. Blues manager Antonio Conte is believed to be avid admirer of the Ivorien youngster after trying to sign him during his days as Juventus boss.
His agent George Atangana has now revealed he is talks with Chelsea over a possible transfer, but also admitted there is a lot of interest from the Premier League clubs.
‘Chelsea are very interested and it is a great club but we must take our time to consider all the options.
‘Now we are in January so he has to play at the Africa Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast so I am not going to rush anything,’ Atangana told The Guardian.
‘We have a lot of interest from the Premier League.
‘I cannot say at this stage how much he will cost but we are talking about one of the best young players in the world.’
Atalanta are reportedly asking for a fee around €35-40 million for Kessie and a move is expected to materialise next summer due to his participation at the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
