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Chelsea ‘are making progress in their contract negotiations with N’Golo Kante’, with the France star now ‘likely’ to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge… but the Blues ‘Will follow Enzo Fernandez or Jude Bellingham’ regardless the midfielder situation
- Chelsea advance in contract renewal negotiations with N’Golo Kante
- The Frenchman is in the final year of his contract with the west London outfit.
- There was interest from teams like Barcelona for the French midfielder
- However, the Blues have now decided that they want to extend Kante’s contract.
- They will still try to sign Enzo Fernández or Jude Bellingham in future windows
Chelsea are making progress in talks over a new contract with N’Golo Kante and are increasingly confident the midfielder will re-sign, according to reports.
The France international has struggled this year with injuries and seemed likely to leave Stamford Bridge when his contract expires next summer.
With several teams, such as Spanish giants Barcelona, interested in Kante, the Blues have decided to try to renew his contract at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.
N’Golo Kante looked likely to leave Chelsea when his current contract expires in the summer.
However, Graham Potter’s side have now started contract talks with the France midfielder.
According to the athleticthe west London outfit have had positive discussions with the Frenchman and his representatives about a new deal with the club.
Although both parties are hopeful that an agreement will be reached, the length of the contract remains a key issue, as the two parties have yet to reach an agreement on the length.
Chelsea had suggested extending the 31-year-old’s contract by two years, with the option of a third; however, the former Leicester star wants a longer contract.
In addition to interest from Spanish giant Barcelona, Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr, which is looking to complete the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, was also interested in Kante.
Regardless of Kante’s situation, the Blues will continue to try to sign reinforcements in the midfield department amid uncertainty over the situation of Italian star Jorginho.
The World Cup winner has struggled to deal with injuries during the 2022/23 campaign
Italian midfielder Jorginho has yet to sign a new contract at Chelsea and could leave in the summer.
The same outlet suggests that there are five names topping Chelsea’s shortlist in preparation for the opening of the winter transfer window.
Enzo Fernández from Benfica and Jude Bellignham from Borussia Dortmund remain the main targets for Todd Boehly’s team.
Chelsea are reportedly set to activate the £105m release clause in Fernandez’s contract after his brilliant displays for Argentina at the World Cup.
While Premier League talents such as Declan Rice, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are among the options, though they remain a lower priority for Chelsea.
Some players, like Rice, play for rival clubs, while others, like Lavia, have recently moved to their respective clubs and are unlikely to leave again.
The Blues will continue to chase Enzo Fernandez (L) and Jude Bellingham regardless of Kante
It was only this week that Potter confirmed that Kante will not be available for selection until late February or early March as the midfielder recovers from hamstring surgery.
The midfielder underwent surgery in October, ruling him out for four months.
“It will be some time, late February, early March,” Potter said. ‘It was surgery, so it’s a minimum period of four months or so.
“I think my focus is to help him get back on his feet as soon as possible, everyone knows the quality he has.”
Chelsea head coach Graham Potter said his priority is to help Kante return to full fitness.