'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Franck Kessie (AC Milan) - €55m
Franck Kessie perhaps best exemplifies AC Milan's remarkable transformation in the last two years.
The 27-year-old initially struggled to make the grade at Atalanta but performed admirably well enough in a two-year loan spell with the Rossoneri between 2017 and 2019.
This convinced AC Milan to make the move permanent and the Ivory Coast international has grown in leaps and bounds over the last two years.
Kessie's ball-carrying abilities are crucial in his position as a box-to-box midfielder and his all-round action style helps AC Milan seize control in the middle of the park.
The former Cesena man has also added goals to his arsenal, with his precision from penalties helping him become one of AC Milan's chief goal threats.
Franck Kessie scored 13 goals and provided six assists last season to help Milan secure a return to the UEFA Champions League and the club will be banking on him to keep them at that level.
#2 Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan) - €65m
Antonio Conte did many wonderful things for Inter Milan during his two-year tenure as manager. However, his most lasting contribution might be the emergence of Nicolo Barella.
The 24-year-old came through as a prodigiously talented youngster at Cagliari but it was at Inter Milan where a new level of performance was unlocked.
Barella's dribbling, pace, and counter-attacking ability makes him a useful component of any team's midfield. His tireless work ethic also means that he is as effective at winning back possession as he is at starting attacks, making him an efficient box-to-box midfielder.
Nicolo Barella is far from the finished article, with there room for improvement in certain aspects of his game, particularly his decision-making. However, he has the requiste dedication and drive to constantly better himself.
He was a key part of the Italian team that conquered the European Championship in July and is currently valued at €65m. That figure is bound to improve if Barella continues his upward trajectory.
#1 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio) - €70m
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's impressive performance at the heart of the Lazio midfield made him one of the most sought-after players in the world a few years ago.
The Serbia international was rumored to be on the radar of several elite clubs on the continent, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The 26-year-old is very much a 'complete' midfielder who possesses all the requisite skillset to succeed in the middle of the park.
He has excellent positional sense, as well as the versatility to play in several different positions. Sergej is adept at shooting from distance with either foot and also has a knack for making late runs into the box to finish off attacking moves.
He is currently valued at €70m and it would not be surprising if a top club decides to make a bid for him in the coming years.
Also See: Six greatest players who never received an international cap
