Chelsea are keen on signing Kouadio Kone as a long-term replacement for N’Golo Kante in the summer, with his club open to selling.
According to Simon Phillips via Give Me Sport, Chelsea have Kouadio Kone on their shortlist of midfielders to replace N’Golo Kante. The 21-year-old Bundesliga ace could depart Borussia Monchengladbach if they receive an offer close to their valuations of the midfielder.
Kouadio Kone continues to have a tremendous season with Borussia Monchengladbach, as he is their player with the most minutes this term. The regular playing time shows how much he gets valued at the club. For now, the Bundesliga outfit reportedly want less than a bid they rejected from Newcastle United in January.
The 21-year-old Bundesliga ace continues to attract interest from big teams. Kone dreams of joining one of the top sides, with Chelsea and Real Madrid keen on the midfielder. The Blues have kept an eye on his development, as Todd Boehly may plot a move in the summer.
Chelsea are keen on bringing in a new midfielder as a partner for January signing Enzo Fernandez. The Blues are in the market with a shortlist of talents, with Kone one of the top candidates. Journalist Simon Phillips reckons the Blues may have the 21-year-old Bundesliga ace very high on their list.
Phillips said, “Chelsea still like the player; they’re still looking at him. They feel he could be a good partner for Fernandez and a long-term replacement for Kante. He’s certainly one of the options on the list that Chelsea are looking at now for the summer. There’s a shortlist of midfielders and Kone is quite high on that list.”
Finding a long-term replacement for N’Golo Kante will play in the minds of Chelsea chiefs at some stage. The Frenchman is out of contract in the summer, but a new deal could be on the table before the season ends.
Kante might sign it, but the club may have to figure out a plan to have a long-term midfield partnership. Should Kone arrive, he will have to battle it out with several players for that one position, although some of them could depart after the season, thus freeing up space in the squad.
Chelsea are not alone in pursuing the 21-year-old Bundesliga ace in the summer. Liverpool are also plotting a move for the midfielder. Jurgen Klopp wants to revamp his midfield and may wish for the Gladbach star to be signed up.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have other short-listed options, including Moises Caicedo. They also chase Declan Rice, but Arsenal could pip the Blues for the West Ham midfielder in the summer.
As for Kone, they could approach the midfielder in the summer. Boehly will open his chequebook once again to sign necessary players and might once again target young players with the idea of building for the future.
