Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Franck Kessie, Kelechi Nwakali Rumours

Atalanta starlet and reported Arsenal transfer target Franck Kessie has revealed he would love to move to Manchester United, while Kelechi Nwakali's loan move to MVV Maastricht has finally gone through.

Kessie has been one of the early breakout performers of the 2016-17 Serie A season, and per Steven Brown of the Chronicle, his agent George Atangana confirmed the youngster came close to a Premier League move during the summer, as he almost moved to Sunderland:

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I can confirm now, it was all done, but the transfer was not possible for a regulation of the Premier League.

He does not meet the 75 per cent attendance for the national team for a single appearance. He has made four and would need five to be welcomed in the Premier League.

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The 19-year-old has only improved since then, and per Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star, Arsenal have been keeping an eye on the midfielder for some time.

But Kessie has now told Sky Sports Italia (h/t Turrell) he has his eye set on Old Trafford, not the Emirates Stadium: “I like the English league, now I have to learn the Italian tactic and then maybe one day to go to Manchester United. I do not know if there will be even (Jose) Mourinho, but the team I always liked.”

Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

The Ivory Coast international moved to Bergamo in 2015 but was immediately loaned out to Cesena. He returned to Atalanta during the summer and has started the 2016-17 campaign in remarkable form, scoring four goals in just three starts as a central midfielder.

Kessie has been a full Ivory Coast international since he was 17 years old, and barring injury, he's considered a lock to make the team's Africa Cup of Nations squad. While he's currently ineligible for the Premier League, he should have enough appearances for the national team after the Cup of Nations.

He's already being compared to African greats like Michael Essien and Yaya Toure, and Goal's Mark Doyle is a fan:

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The teenager boasts incredible power and upper body strength for someone so young – and it is not uncommon to see opponents bounce off him in physical confrontations. He is fast, confident on the ball and strides forward from midfield with late runs into the box.

[…] Kessie obviously still has some important lessons to learn but it is worth remembering that he is still just 19. Furthermore, he is, rather encouragingly, well aware that he has much to work on.

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What's perhaps most impressive about the youngster is the fact he was a centre-back until a year ago. It was only at Cesena where he moved into midfield, and the early results have been phenomenal.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Kessie would be best off to stay in Serie A for a few more seasons, as he's still a raw, young prospect riding a wave of momentum. He's only started three matches for Atalanta―it's far too early to start discussing his next move, even if top clubs are reportedly already paying attention.

Elsewhere, the Gunners have confirmed Nwakali has finally joined Stefan O’Connor in the Netherlands, with both players now on loan with second-division club MVV Maastricht:

The teenager officially signed for Arsenal during the summer, bringing an end to lengthy negotiations that started after he captained Nigeria's Under-17 squad to the 2015 World Cup in Chile, bagging the Player of the Tournament award in the process.

Nwakali has tremendous potential, but he only turned 18 in June and needs seasoning. While he was expected to stay with the academy, a move to the Netherlands will provide him with the chance to measure himself against senior competition, even if the level of the Dutch second division is well below that of the Championship.