"?Atalanta's Franck Kessie says he harbours ambitions of playing in the Premier League - and dreams of playing for Manchester United one day.
"?The centre midfielder revealed his desire to play the highest level in England at some point in his career.
Kessie has enjoyed an astonishing start to his senior career with the Serie A outfit - plundering five goals in as many games despite Atalanta taking just three points from their opening four matches.
Franck Kessie (Atalanta): "I'd like to play for #mufc. I don't know if Mourinho will be there, but United has always been my favorite team."?
And the 19-year-old stated that his main footballing aspiration was to secure a move to 20-time English champions Manchester United once he has established himself on the continent.
He said: "Now I want to learn Italian tactics but in the future, I like the Premier League.
"I'd like to play for Manchester United. I don't know if [Jose] Mourinho will be there, but Manchester United has always been my favorite team."
Kessie did reveal that he had the opportunity to move to England in the summer, with Sunderland said to be keen on bringing him to the Stadium of Light.
However, the former Stella Club player opted to move to Italy's top division with Atalanta instead, and says he based his decision on learning the art of Italian football.
He continued: "During the summer I was close to Sunderland, but then I preferred Serie A to the Premier League because in Italy it's possible to learn tactics.
"I hope I will play in England in my future, but not for now."
The Ivory Coast international also hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow African midfield stars such as Yaya Toure and Michael Essien.
The duo made names for themselves in France before securing moves to England with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.
The new Yaya Toure? Serie A top scorer Franck Kessie could be Africa's next sensation https://t.co/jsMK6Clh0A pic.twitter.com/1O8FDIYKh6
And Kessie believes that, with the right application and attitude, he too can achieve a move to the Premier League.
He added: "My idols are Yaya Toure and (Michael) Essien. I was told that I have to work very hard to reach a big level."
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