Real Madrid are reportedly stepping up their efforts to seal the transfer of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie next summer.

The Ivory Coast international is nearing the end of his current contract with Milan, and it seems Real Madrid are eager to snap him up if or when he comes a free agent, according to Todo Fichajes.

Kessie has shown his quality during his career at the San Siro, and it’s easy to see why Real would be interested in him as a possible upgrade on Casemiro in the middle of the park.

It could be bad news for Manchester United, however, who are also looking light in that area of the pitch at the moment as the likes of Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay struggle for form.

Calciomercato have previously linked Man Utd as another club keen to sign Kessie, and they might not have a better opportunity to sign such a top talent without paying huge sums of money.

They’ve also been strongly linked with Declan Rice by the Independent, and he’s likely to cost a great deal more than Kessie.

Some might feel it would be worth paying more to sign Rice over Kessie, but United have been taken in by big names and transfer fees in the past, so could perhaps do well to consider the cheaper option here.

Unfortunately, one can easily imagine that for a player like Kessie, it would be a lot more tempting to move to Madrid over MUFC right now.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles