Premier League champions Leicester City have been facing a difficult summer, with top Premier League clubs trying to raid them for their best players. After managing to keep hold of Englishman Jamie Vardy, the Foxes have now offered a lucrative new contract to star midfielder N’golo Kante in a bid to keep him from joining Chelsea.
Pundits had predicted that Leicester City were in for a difficult summer as clubs would look to lure their top talent away and they have been proven right. The Foxes, however, did succeed in keeping Jamie Vardy despite Arsenal triggering his £22 million release clause. The 29-year-old Englishman was offered a new contract that increased his wages to £100,000 a week, becoming the club’s highest paid player.
That record looks set to be broken once again this summer, as Leicester now face a similar situation with French midfielder N’golo Kante. After prolonged interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus, Chelsea FC have emerged as the number one contenders for the Frenchman’s signature. They are reportedly willing to match the 25-year-old midfielder’s £20 million release clause, and the player himself is keen to move to a bigger club.
Leicester City would be making a huge profit on a player who joined for £5.6 million from Ligue 1 club Caen last season. However, manager Claudio Ranieri is not willing to lose one of his star performers from his Premier League winning season. The Foxes have already seen a £100,000 per week offer turned down by Kante, and are now willing to up the ante to make him the highest paid player at the club, according to the Telegraph.
This effort may be in vain though, as because of the alleged release clause, the club would be helpless if Kante agreed terms with Chelsea. Blues manager Antonio Conte has identified the Frenchman as one of his primary transfer targets this summer. Kante is energetic, physically powerful and an imperious presence in the midfield. He made the most number of tackles (175) and interceptions (156) in the Premier League this past season. This makes him the perfect fit for Conte’s team.
The Italian manager likes to set-up his side with a strong central midfield capable of defending resiliently and getting forward to attack when an opportunity presents itself. Arturo Vidal was one of the most important cogs in his dominant Juventus side during Conte’s days in the Serie A. After failing to land his former ward, the new Chelsea manager will look to have Kante playing in that role for him at Stamford Bridge.
