FC Barcelona Close In On Kante Signing From Chelsea

FC Barcelona are making progress in their bid to sign N’Golo Kante from Chelsea on a free transfer ahead of the 2023/2024 season.

SPORT claim that the French World Cup winner, unable to star for Les Bleus at Qatar 2022 due to injury after helping them become champions in Russia four years ago, has been in contact with the Blaugrana for weeks regarding the move.

The 31-year-old has the basis of an agreement “practically closed” depending on how he recovers from his hamstring knock, with president Joan Laporta and his board of the belief that signing Kante presents a good opportunity to pick up one of the world’s best midfielders free of charge.

Kante is said to have reached out to Barca last summer when securing someone in his position wasn’t a priority. On Chelsea’s books since 2016, Kante wants to leave the PremierPINC
League and will not accept a contract renewal offer from his west London employers.

Despite his age and injury history, Barca are convinced that Kante is still a top-level football player who can bring much-needed physicality and experience to Xavi Hernandez’s young squad.

Though Kante would not arrive until the summer after his current deal expires on June 30, Barca could have an arrangement wrapped up with him in January when the transfer market opens again.

They only want him if there are no physical doubts, however, with Kante needing “to be one hundred percent [fit] to perform”.

Xavi also reportedly likes Kante for his physicality and seniority in an area of the field that is led by two of the youngest players on the team in Pedri and Gavi.

Kante can play easily in front of the defense and has performed at the highest level with great off the ball work.

He would however need to lower his salary expectations in order to exchange Stamford Bridge for Camp Nou, but may have his potential earnings boosted by add-ons and bonuses.

Barca remain interested in Kante’s teammate Jorginho, whose contract is likewise expiring, and Ilkay Gundogan at Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Of the three, there is said to be more likelihood that Kante joins with Gundogan looking set to extend his terms by a year at the Etihad or return to the Bundesliga.