Reports stemming from the Spanish media over the last 24 hours suggest that La Liga giants Barcelona are interested in the signature of Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Kante’s rise to stardom
Kante, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in the summer of 2016, has proven an absolute revelation since making the move to the Premier League from Caen the year prior.
After playing a starring role for the Foxes on their way to securing a shock English top-flight crown during his debut campaign with the club, Kante was inevitably sought out by a number of Europe’s top clubs.
The likes of Arsenal, PSG and Juventus were all linked with moves for the diminutive Frenchman following the 2015/16 season.
Chelsea stint
In the end, though, it was Chelsea who opted to splash out the required fee, which is believed to have been around £30m, to coax Kante away from the King Power Stadium.
And this fee, in hindsight, has since proven an absolute bargain.
The 29-year-old has gone from strength to strength on the back of his move to the English capital, securing both the Premier League Player and Players’ Player of the Year awards, as well as a 2nd-straight league title, in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
And though Chelsea’s fortunes have proven somewhat hit-and-miss over the years since, Kante has continued to act as a source of dependable excellence in the club’s midfield ranks.
Kante-Coutinho swap?
As such, recent speculation that the World Cup winner could be on the move this summer has come as something of a surprise.
While Kante has struggled with injury throughout the current campaign, when fit, he remains a key member of Frank Lampard’s squad.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: N’Golo Kante of Chelsea leaves the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 17, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Amid claims that the likes of Real Madrid and PSG are eyeing the 29-year-old ahead of next season, though, rumours have hinted that Chelsea could be open to the idea of a sale.
And, if the latest reports stemming from Spain are to be believed, then another club appear to have entered the running for Kante’s services.
The outfit in question? Barcelona.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Camp Nou hierarchy have prioritised the signing of a dynamic midfielder this summer, as the Blaugrana prepare to part with both Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic.
And Kante is said to sit atop the list of targets to fill this role, with Barca long-time admirers of the Frenchman’s talents.
The unprecedented financial situation in which football finds itself at present, meanwhile, could reportedly even see a swap deal take place between Chelsea and the La Liga champions.
The former are known to be keen on Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho, who is currently plying his trade on loan with Bayern Munich.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – SEPREMBER 14: Philippe Coutinho of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena on September 14, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Mundo Deportivo add that the Brazilian himself ‘wants to go to Chelsea’.
As a result, those in charge of transfers at the Camp Nou are ready to ‘explore the route’ of a trade of stars with the Blues, which would see Kante and Coutinho swap clubs.
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