Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie reportedly turned down the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old joined the Calatan club last summer following the expiration of his AC Milan contract.

Kessie has scored two goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances for Barcelona, but he has found it difficult to nail down a regular place in the lineup.

The Ivory Coast international has only started eight games this season, and his lack of playing time alerted interested clubs to a potential January transfer.

Tottenham were one of the sides that were believed to be keen on a move, while his former club, AC Milan, were exploring the possibility of a deal.

However, according to Sport, Kessie was not interested in a January departure as he was keen to remain at Camp Nou and fight for his place in the side.

The report claims that he would have only considered leaving if Barcelona boss Xavi asked him to depart or informed him that he was not needed at the club.

Kessie was not prepared to give up on his Barcelona dream, and he could now be set to experience a run of games in the lineup.

The Ivorian replaced the injured Sergio Busquets after seven minutes in the 3-0 victory over Sevilla on February 5, when he provided an assist for Jordi Alba.

With Busquets sidelined with an ankle injury, Kessie was given his third La Liga start on Sunday, as a first-half goal from Pedri guided Barcelona to a narrow 1-0 win against Villarreal.

The result moved the Catalans 11 points clear at the top of the La Liga table, and they will now turn their attention to Thursday's Europa League meeting with Manchester United, where Kessie will be hoping to retain his place in the starting XI.

Tottenham, meanwhile, could certainly do with Kessie's services after losing two key midfielders to injury.

Yves Bissouma underwent ankle surgery last week, while Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a serious knee injury in Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Leicester City, which will rule him out for the rest of the season.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte is also unable to call upon the suspended Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for Tuesday's Champions League clash against AC Milan. body check tags ::