Liverpool Transfer News: Franck Kessie Demands Increased, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly made a €22 million (£18.5 million) bid for Atalanta teenager Franck Kessie after his club increased their demands following interest from Premier League sides. 

Per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Calciomercato.com), Kessie had been poised to join Juventus, but they now look set to miss out on the 19-year-old due to English clubs' interest.

Liverpool have offered Kessie a five-year deal but face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who have bid slightly more than the Reds, per the report.

A dynamic, box-to-box midfielder, Kessie has been at the forefront of Atalanta's fine performances in Serie A this season, scoring five times as the club has risen to sixth place in the table.

His tenacious approach, allied to good strength and speed, make him the ideal midfield player for the modern game.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Kessie shows impressive control and is quick-footed, which can get him out of tight spots in the centre of the field.

Confident and composed on the ball, he is also not afraid to get a shot off, as demonstrated by his goal return so far this season.

Indeed, even for such a young player, it appears Kessie would have little problem in adapting to the cut and thrust of Premier League football were he to move to England.

As Nemanja Grbic of FourFourTwo magazine noted: "Kessie was originally a ball-playing defender, excellent in his distribution while maintaining a cool head in possession."

But it is as a midfielder that he has excelled and attracted the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.

ISSOUF SANOGO/Getty Images

Liverpool's reported bid could be viewed as a statement of intent by the Merseyside club, who will be keen to capitalise on their fine start to the domestic campaign by strengthening in the January transfer window.

At just 19, Kessie could be exactly the sort of player that manager Jurgen Klopp can mould into a world-class star.

And if the Reds were able to snap him up for the reported €22 million fee, on current form it would appear to represent a bargain.

Kessie's energetic style looks to be a perfect fit for Klopp's tactical approach, and he appears to have all the tools to enable him to excel should he arrive in England's top division.