Barcelona closing in on signing of Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante in January
Spanish Laliga giants FC Barcelona could get Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante signed on a free transfer in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
A report claims that Barcelona are closing in on the French International who missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to injury.
The midfielder has not played for Chelsea for most part of the current season having struggled with a hamstring injury and faces a further three months on the sidelines as it stand now.
This means Kante’s chances of leaving Stanford Bridge in January is not likely with some days into the transfer period but Barcelona’s representatives have been in contact with Kante’s and have discussed details over a potential move to Spain that could be sealed by January.
According to SPORT, Kante’s agents have been in contact with chiefs at Barcelona and the basis for an agreement is practically in place.
The Catalonia side had made contact with Chelsea over signing Kante last summer, but his position on a move wasn’t one of priority for Barcelona at the time.
Now with Kante’s current deal expiring at the end of the 2022/23 season – the Catalan side see him as the perfect option to bolster their midfield next year.
Negotiations have progressed well in recent weeks and the contract agreement could be finalised as soon as January.
The only thing of concern for the LaLiga side are Kante’s recent injury struggles which has seen his domestic football limited to just two appearances this term.
The former Leicester City man has not played since mid-August, and has yet to feature for a Graham Potter side since his appointment as manager.
If the 31-year-old’s physical presence is limited by lingering injuries, it may scupper a potential move to Spain for the World Cup winner.
Because of this, the same outlet claim Barcelona are also monitoring the situation of Chelsea’s Jorginho and Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan.
Despite his injuries, the French midfielder is one of 25 players the Blues have revealed have flown for warm weather training, the club confirmed last Monday.
Kante remains part of the trip to work on his rehabilitation surrounded by his teammates.
Chelsea are playing Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in a friendly at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday, in which the winners will win the Al Wahda Challenge Cup.
