Chelsea will have to wait until the summer before having a chance to sign Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie and will have to pay even more money to land the rising midfield star, reports Sky Sport Italia.
Kessie, 20, has been one of the best young players in Serie A this season and has already been linked with high profile moves to Chelsea and Juventus this month.
Atalanta were open to the idea of selling the Ivory Coast international at the start of the January transfer window but have since closed the idea of letting another of their star players leave this month after rejecting an initial €25m (£21m) bid from Chelsea.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have already sold Roberto Gagliardini to Inter this month, while Juventus have agreed to sign Mattia Caldara in 2018 but they are not looking for any more departures for the rest of the season.
However, suitors should not be completely disheartened in their pursuit of the midfield ace with Atalanta still willing to sell at the end of the season, although they will demand more money in six months time.
The Serie A highflyers are reportedly hoping his stock will continue to soar over the remainder of the season and they will be able to successful command in excess of €30m (£25.5m) in the summer.
No midfielder has scored more goals in Serie A this season than Kessie (6) despite the fact he has been away at the Africa Cup of Nations this month.
For more stats on Franck Kessie, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
