Chelsea Steal March On Arsenal & Man Utd After Opening Talks For £20m Midfielder

The summer transfer window is now open for business so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea step-up their interest in N’Golo Kante…

Chelsea have stolen a march on Arsenal and Manchester United after opening formal talks over a potential £20m deal to sign Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante, according to the Telegraph.

Kante enjoyed a sensational debut season in England after playing a key role in helping Leicester clinch a shock Premier League title win following his move from FC Caen last summer.

The 25-year-old has snubbed the Foxes attempts to tie him down to a new contract with the Telegraph claiming that Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd are among the clubs who’ve been showing a strong interest in signing the midfielder.

Arsene Wenger has made no secret of his admiration for Kante and the Gunners continue to be linked with the French international despite already signing Swiss star Granit Xhaka this summer.

Jose Mourinho has already snapped-up three new players but is looking to strengthen his midfield options as he continues to overhaul the squad left behind by Louis van Gaal and Kante appears to be on the Portuguese coaches radar.

However, the Telegraph claim that Chelsea have emerged as favourites as Kante is understood to have his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge with Antonio Conte hoping for the Frenchman to anchor his new-look midfield next season.

The newspaper suggests that Chelsea have now been forced to open formal talks over a deal to sign Kante after Chinese club Shanghai SIPG submitted a £35m bid – a full £15m over the midfielders release clause.

The Telegraph say that Kante’s clause allows Leicester to sell to the highest bidder meaning Chelsea know they will now have to pay more than the initial £20m they’ve already indicated they are prepared to pay, although it’s believed the Blues won’t have to match Shanghai SIPG’s £35m offer as Kante has no interest in moving to China.

There is still time for the likes of Arsenal and United to step-up their interest but it seems Kante wants to join Chelsea and the likelihood is the French international will end up moving to west London over the coming weeks.

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If that turns out to be the case, Kante will be a superb addition to the Chelsea squad as he was undoubtedly one of the best players in the Premier League last year and will provide Conte with rock solid protection in front of his defence next season.