N’Golo Kante to leave Chelsea for Barcelona? The state of play

18 Oct 2022 15:33 BST
4 min read

N'Golo Kante, Chelsea, 2021/22 — © ProShots

N’Golo Kante’s future at Chelsea is still uncertain, with the Frenchman out of contract at the end of the season and the club still unconvinced over offering him a new, lucrative and long-term deal.

Kante has been integral to Chelsea’s success since signing in 2016 but the 31-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent times, missing 43 Premier League games in the past three seasons.

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Both parties are keen to extend their relationship but Kante is one of the highest earners at Stamford Bridge and is thought to want a three-year contract with the option of a fourth, similar to the deal Chelsea gave Kalidou Koulibaly, 31, in the summer.

Chelsea’s previous owners were believed to have verbally offered Kante the long-term contract that he desired but the new regime are thought to have doubts due to his high wages and fitness concerns.

The Blues are believed to have now offered Kante a two-year deal with the option of a third but he is still holding out for a longer deal and will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club from January.

Barcelona have become the latest club to register an interest in Kante, with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain also rumoured to be holding out hopes of snapping him up on a free transfer if he fails to extend his contract at Chelsea.

Kante is reportedly hoping to remain in London where he and his family are settled and the player is believed to have been offered to Arsenal and Tottenham, although neither side are believed to be seriously considering a move.

The former Leicester midfielder started Chelsea’s first two games of the season but has been absent with a hamstring injury since and will miss France’s World Cup campaign after suffering a setback in his return.

Romano: ‘Serious’ chance of Kante leaving Chelsea

There is a belief that both sides will eventually come to a compromise but reporter Fabrizio Romano believes that there is a ‘serious’ chance that Kante could leave Chelsea next summer.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Romano said: “There’s no change on N’Golo Kante’s future – it looks like there’s a serious chance he could leave as a free agent this summer.

“However, for now there is nothing advanced with Barcelona. The player also wants to stay in London, so let’s see what happens,” Romano said.

There’s still no agreement between Chelsea and N’Golo Kanté to sign new contract. He’s happy in London — but there’s nothing agreed. 🚨🔵 #CFC

Feeling is that Kanté has serious chances to leave as free agent in June — also up to new directors.

📲 More: https://t.co/4Wqblg6Nry pic.twitter.com/xgXpv5qfMY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 17, 2022

Chelsea have been desperate to strengthen in midfield and have struggled in replacing Kante, with Denis Zakaria already believed to be in talks to return to Juventus having failed to feature since signing on loan on deadline day.