Barcelona have turned down an approach for Franck Kessie from Turkish giants Galatasaray, according to SPORT.
The Ivory Coast international is one of several players that are considered expendable by the cash-strapped Spanish champions.
However, they are unwilling to let the former AC Milan man leave on a temporary deal which was a major factor in their decision to reject Galatasaray’s proposal.
The Super Lig champions offered to take Kessie on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent deal, but Barca would prefer to sell the Ivorian outrightly this summer.
The Blaugranas are reportedly willing to keep Kessie in the squad beyond this summer, having only spent 12 months at the Spotify Camp Nou following his arrival from Serie A at the start of last season.
However, they will sanction a departure if a suitable offer – preferably around €30 million – arrives for the former Atlanta man.
Kessie only started seven of his 28 league appearances for the Catalan giants last term, but Xavi remains open to working with the midfielder in the coming season.
Despite struggling to nail down a starting spot, Kessie proved his credentials for Barca when handed the chance – notably scoring in the victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in March’s El Clasico showdown.
However, his long-term future in Catalonia is far from secure, with the Blaugranas still hoping to make a significant profit from a player that cost them next to nothing when he arrived.
Kessie has previously been linked with a move to Inter Milan amid speculation of a potential swap deal that involved Marcelo Brozovic moving in the other direction.
But he rejected the chance to join his former nemesis in January, and Brozovic has since completed a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Kessie has also been linked with a move to the Middle East, but Barca insists there is no concrete development on that front.
A move to the Premier League still seems feasible, with Liverpool touted as a possible destination.
