Arsenal are challenging Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain for the signing of AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, according to reports in Italy.

kessie ivo
Democratic Republic of the Congo’s forward Firmin Ndombe Mubele (L) challenges Ivory Coast’s midfielder Franck Kessie during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo in Oyem on January 20, 2017. / AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb report that Chelsea have a ‘strong’ interest in the midfielder, who Milan value at around €40m.

However, Arsenal, Tottenham and PSG are all ‘at the window’ to challenge Maurizio Sarri for the transfer. What’s more, Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso has no interest in losing one of the key players in his midfield. From Kessie’s point of view, he thinks he’s earned a pay-rise and a new contract if nothing else.

Any deal is more likely to be done in the summer than in the winter window, and another major factor in a potential exit is whether Milan qualify for the Champions League. PSG will certainly be in the competition, but Gattuso’s side are currently sitting in fifth place, so they may well miss out.

If they do, Kessie could push even harder for a move, and it’s up to Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham to make themselves more appealing by qualifying themselves.

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 02: Franck Kessie of AC Milan celebrates his goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 2, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 02: Franck Kessie of AC Milan celebrates his goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 2, 2018, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

TMW aren’t exactly the most reliable outlet in Italy, so we’ll have to wait for more mainstream outlets to get involved to know the truth of this rumour. However, Arsenal’s interest in Kessie has been well documented in the past, so it wouldn’t be a great surprise to see them revive it.