Reports suggest that Arsenal have approached N’Golo Kante’s representatives about a potential move to the club, although it is believed that the midfielder is likely to stay at Chelsea. Kante’s current contract with the Blues expires at the end of the season, and while he is in talks over a renewal, rival clubs have been circling. Foreign clubs have been able to speak to Kante since January, when he entered the last six months of his deal, and there is also interest from the Premier League. Arsenal first looked into the possibility of signing Kante in January but opted to sign his Chelsea teammate Jorginho instead.
Kante has been struggling with a hamstring injury for much of the season and has only recently returned to action. Despite this, he is thought to be open to joining another London club, although it is likely that he will renew his contract with Chelsea. An unnamed member of Kante’s entourage told Le Parisien that “N’Golo would like to continue his career in London, where he has his habits. He liked working with Antonio Conte, but he has been sacked by Tottenham. Arsenal also made an enquiry. I think he will extend his deal at Chelsea before going to the Middle-East in two or three years.”
Kante has missed much of the season with a hamstring injury that required surgery back in the summer. After being picked in the starting XI for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid, each of his last four appearances have come under different coaches: Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and now Frank Lampard. Interim boss Lampard recently praised Kante, saying that “the main reason that he’s so good is that he’s the best in the world at being a destructor… His main attribute for me is destruction, leaving areas to win balls back. An old-fashioned holding midfield player you’d say would sit in front of the back four, Makelele did it years ago for Chelsea so well. But he [Kante] has so much more to his game. When you see the distances he closes to get in front of people, that acceleration and speed, that is something special to him. It’s very unique.”
While Arsenal may be interested in Kante, it seems unlikely that they will be able to convince him to leave Chelsea. The midfielder is an integral part of the Blues’ squad and has been instrumental in their recent success. It is also worth noting that Kante is 32 years old and may not want to uproot his life and move to a new club at this stage in his career. However, if Kante were to become available, there would undoubtedly be a number of clubs interested in signing him. He is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and would be a valuable addition to any team.