N’Golo Kante is on the brink of signing a three-year contract extension at Chelsea, according to reports.
The Blues midfielder has piqued the interest of top European clubs including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ahead of his contract expiring this summer, but talks with Chelsea are believed to have progressed significantly in the last few days.
Kante, who has been injured for much of this season and missed France’s World Cup campaign in Qatar last year, has returned to Chelsea training and is hoping to make a full return to action next month.
The 31-year-old has been a crucial part of Chelsea’s first team since arriving from Leicester for £32million in 2016, helping the Blues to a Premier League title and Champions League trophy during his seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge so far.
Chelsea are reportedly optimistic that the 2018 World Cup winner will sign a new contract before the end of the season, fending off interest from suitors ahead of this summer.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, he is set to sign a fresh deal with the club until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Having splashed over £600million across two transfer windows this season, Chelsea have made several additions to Graham Potter’s squad, and this left fans pondering Kante’s future at Stamford Bridge.
In particular, defensive midfielder Enzo Fernandez signed for a British record fee of £107m in January, adding stiff competition to Kante’s usual spot in front of the back four.
Potter, who is under increasing pressure following Chelsea’s disappointing 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last weekend, could well look to operate both Fernandez and Kante in a double pivot together, but with his side short of goals, he may feel compelled to add an extra creative player into his midfield.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Kante is keen to stay in west London because of his ‘love for the club’.
Romano claims that his positive feelings toward Chelsea are a key factor in the negotiation.
Chelsea travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday, with Potter’s side languishing 14 points adrift of the top four in 10th.
Potter will hope to have Kante available ahead of Chelsea’s crucial Champions League second leg in the last-16 against Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund won the first leg 1-0 at home, thanks to a second-half goal from Karim-David Adeyemi.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
