N’Golo Kante is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract at Chelsea, with the midfielder closing on a return to first term action following a long-term injury.
Kante’s current deal at the club expires at the end of the season, and the two parties have been engaged in discussions for months regarding his future at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are confident an agreement is now close, according to the Telegraph, with Kante reportedly settled in London.
Talks over a new contract have been taking place as Kante recovers after surgery on his hamstring in October, which ruled him out of action for four months.
The injury has prevented the star from featuring for head coach Graham Potter, with the Blues toiling in his absence.
Interest in Kante has remained high despite the 31-year-old struggling with injuries over the past 18 months.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have previously been linked with a move for Kante should he decide against renewing his Chelsea contract.
The midfielder had been reported to be seeking a longer contract.
Kante had featured in Chelsea’s opening match of the season against Everton, before sustaining his hamstring injury the following week in the club’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Spurs.
The severity of the injury meant that the France international was left out of Didier Deschamps’ side that reached the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Kante has made 185 Premier League appearances for Chelsea since joining the club in 2016.
The midfielder was an integral part of Thomas Tuchel’s Champions League winning team in 2021.
Kante has also won the Premier League, Europa League and the FA Cup during his time with the Blues.
The French international reportedly warmed up with Chelsea’s first team in the build-up to their match against Tottenham this Sunday.
Chelsea will enter the match 11 points adrift of their rivals, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League berth in the Premier League.
Pressure has mounted on Potter with the head coach having overseen just two wins in their last 14 matches.
The Blues lie 10th in the Premier League and have a 1-0 first leg deficit to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League last-16 tie.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk/
