N’Golo Kante is a wanted man all across Europe, with top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City trying to sign the Leicester City midfielder according to reports from France.
Kante has had a phenomenal season with Leicester City, helping the Foxes clinch an unlikely Premier League title. The Frenchman transferred to Leicester for a paltry sum of £5.6 million from Ligue 1 club Caen.
The 25-year-old’s stellar performances at Leicester have made a number of clubs take notice of him as they try to build a suitable squad for the next season. Kante’s industry as a box-to-box midfielder will be invaluable for teams looking to sign a midfield ‘engine’. The fact that he has made 148 interceptions in 35 Premier League appearances goes to show how much he works to get possession back for his team.
According to a report in French newspaper L’Equipe [via Daily Express], Chelsea, Manchester United, and even Manchester City are currently after Kante’s signature.
Bayern Munich to hijack Chelsea target
The Bavarian club are all set to enter the race to land AS Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who is also being courted by Chelsea.
Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is said to be impressed by Pjanic and has directed the Blues to look into the possibility of signing the player in the summer transfer window.
However, Carlo Ancelotti, who is set to take over as the manager of Bayern Munich from the start of the 2016-17 season, is also said to be interested in signing the player. The German giants are preparing to battle the Blues to land the Bosnian midfielder, according to the Daily Express.
Pjanic has had a solid season at Roma, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists on his way to helping the capital club to a top three finish, which will ensure Champions League football for next season.
Chelsea at a disadvantage with both signings?
While Chelsea are looking to boost their midfield with the signing of these box-to-box midfielders, the Blues might have a rather difficult time convincing them to make the switch to the Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been dismal this season and will likely just about finish in the top half of the Premier League table. This means that the Blues will not have Champions League football for next season, something that could prove to be a major obstacle in their pursuit of more high-profile targets.
Manchester United and Manchester City, who are pursuing Kante, may guarantee the Frenchman some sort of European football next season, as both the sides are fighting to be in the top four spots in the last few games.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich can promise Pjanic Champions League football next season.
To top that off, both Leicester and Roma are assured of a berth in Europe’s elite competition (playoff spot in Roma’s case). Thus, it could be very difficult for the Blues to attract either Kante or Pjanic to Stamford Bridge without paying over the odds.
