According to Football Insider, Liverpool are keeping an eye on N’Golo Kante’s contract situation at Chelsea since the midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of the season. With their poor season thus far, the Reds seem to already be planning for the summer and a midfield revolution is their top priority. Nine points separate Jurgen Klopp’s team from the top-four in the Premier League, and their chances of moving on in the Champions League are poor after last week’s 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 clash.
The Merseyside club, meanwhile, is expected to significantly revamp its team next summer, with the midfield in particular in need of new additions. While England and Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is reportedly Liverpool’s top transfer target, the Premier League giants have also recently been linked with Chelsea’s Mason Mount. Klopp’s team is reportedly also looking at signing Kante, Mount’s teammate, according to Football Insider.
Kante close to staying at Chelsea than leave for Liverpool
Kante has been attempting to extend his current contract with the Blues before it expires in the summer, but so far no deal has been reached. The Frenchman however is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ regarding a new one-year contract with an additional 12-month option. After reaching an agreement on fresh terms with center-back Thiago Silva and watching negotiations with Mount stall, the club is said to want to address Kante’s contract situation as a ‘high priority’.
According to the club’s new wage structure under Todd Boehly, the proposed new contract is reportedly generously rewarded with bonuses. The two-time Premier League champion is reportedly a target for Liverpool should a deal fall through. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are also rumoured to be longtime admirers of the midfielder.
Due to injuries, Kante has only featured twice for the Blues this season, with both the appearances coming in the Premier League against Everton and Tottenham. His struggles with injuries had given rise to a debate whether Chelsea should try to extend his contract beyond the current deal Since joining from Leicester, the France international has been an incredible asset to the team, helping it achieve tremendous success.
Speaking to CaughtOffside via his Substack blog, Fabrizio Romano stated that negotiations between Chelsea and Kante were going well. It makes little sense for Kante to quit because he loves both the club and the city. The transfer guru had revealed:
“Chelsea are progressing in talks with N’Golo Kante over new deal — there’s optimism to get it done, still waiting to decide on length of the contract. Kante’s priority has always been to stay as he loves Chelsea — key factor in the negotiation, waiting on final details.”
This comes as a huge blow to Liverpool who were eyeing Kante’s free acquisition in the summer to kick-start their midfield renovation. The Reds are expected to offload a number of fringe players in the summer, with the likes of Naby Keita, Arthur Melo, James Milner and even the experienced Fabinho staring at exits.
They need new recruitments in the middle of the park, with Kante targeted alongside his Chelsea mate Mount and Bellingham. Without a doubt, if Kante fails to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge and can demonstrate his fitness, he will receive a tonne of offers this summer which Liverpool will have to first fend-off in an attempt to lure him to Anfield.