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Tottenham have had their plans to sign a free agent from an Italian side next year scuppered with the player now available for sale this year, according to reports.

Fabio Paratici has explored a lot of his prior connections since joining Spurs as their new Managing Director of Football. The former Juventus chief has a vast network in Italy and has utilised this for two signings so far. Atalanta pair Pierluigi Gollini and Cristian Romero have both arrived this summer.

There have been several other Serie A stars linked with a move to north London. The latest of these was revealed at the weekend.

Italian journalist Alessandro Jacobone reported Paratici had been in talks for AC Milan midfielder Frank Kessie.

Kessie has one year left on his current contract. Therefore, negotiations were held with his agent surrounding a free signing for next summer.

The discussions ended with the offer of a five-year contract. This deal would land the Ivory Coast international €8m a year after tax.

That sum far exceeds his wage demands, so it looked like positive news for Spurs. However, Milan have seemingly put pay to their hopes.

Speaking to Calciomercato, their chief Paolo Maldini has indicated they are looking to offload the 24-year-old this summer.

“The renewal of Kessié? There is a common line, we must do what is sustainable,” he said in the interview translated by Sport Witness.

“In the past this has not been done and we have paid. Both renewals and acquisitions will follow this spirit. I have no preconceptions, I am open to many solutions.”

Kessie and his agent are ‘open to everything’ as well, according to the report. Their only demand is a €6.5m annual salary.

That is what has prevented him from signing a contract extension in Milan thus far. His current club have only offered a deal worth €5m per year.

Tottenham’s offer was purely on the basis of him being a free agent, so will no longer be applicable.

They will have to rework their offer to see if they can afford Kessie’s demands and a transfer fee.

Tottenham have other spinning plates

It seems an alternative option is already on the cards and unsurprisingly this is also a Serie A player.

According to a report in Italy, Tottenham have made an approach to Juventus for midfielder Weston McKennie.

Calciomercato report that Paratici is very keen on a move for 22-year-old McKennie and is chasing an initial loan deal with an option to buy the player.

Juve though are pushing for a permanent deal with Massimiliano Allegri open to the player’s sale.

READ MORE: Harry Kane transfer branded ‘impossible’ as true Man City offer emerges

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