Chelsea are ready to fend off interest in N’Golo Kante from Inter Milan by demanding an £80 million fee for the defensive midfielder.
According to the Express, Inter Milan have identified N’Golo Kante as one of their top targets this summer. They have held initial talks with Chelsea regarding a potential move for the holding midfielder. However, the English outfit has no interest in selling one of their prized assets.
As a result, Chelsea have slapped an £80 million asking fee for N’Golo Kante. Although manager Frank Lampard has no intention of selling the midfielder, the Blues do need an injection of money following a spending spree that has seen them sign players – Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Ben Chilwell.
Kai Havertz is widely expected to become the next player to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, which could further cripple Chelsea in the transfer market. The departure of Kante, in that regard, may serve as a major financial boost for Roman Abramovich.
The Frenchman didn’t have the best of seasons during the 2019/20 campaign, particularly due to muscle and hamstring problems that kept him out for a significant period of the game. He isn’t the only player Chelsea midfielder linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, however.
Back in July, Juventus were willing to prise Jorginho back to Serie A while Tiemoue Bakayoko also faces an uncertain future at the club despite reviving his career with decent loan spells at AC Milan and AS Monaco.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, are bracing themselves for a major overhaul in the midfield department. They are already willing to offload Marcelo Brozovic, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich while Matias Vecino is also likely to be shipped out. Even Christian Eriksen could leave the club despite only joining from Tottenham Hotspur back in January.
The addition of a star player like Kante, therefore, could revitalise the Inter Milan midfield. His speed, willingness to win back possession and tenacity could tune in perfectly under Antonio Conte.
Chelsea, however, cannot afford to offload him, especially now, after the emergence of Mateo Kovacic, given the fact that duo might finally bring some stability in an otherwise erratic midfield.
But, the transfer market runs long and should the Blues further their ambition in the market, it won’t be surprising to see Kante being sacrificed by the club’s hierarchy as they look to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool next season.
To have kante in the squad is a pleasure Chelsea can’t just allow him to go like that