PSG are reportedly keeping tabs on N’Golo Kante’s situation, with the Chelsea midfield maestro entering the final year of his deal at Stamford Bridge.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain hold a long-standing interest in N’Golo Kante and are thus keeping a close watch on his contract situation. That is according to a report from The Times, which claims that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has “plunged” the midfielder’s long-term future into further doubt with his comments after Kante’s latest injury.
The 31-year-old’s current deal at Stamford Bridge expires next summer, and his future is becoming increasingly uncertain due to a mounting injury record. Tuchel wants Kante to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond 2023. But the Chelsea boss has hinted that his injury concerns and age would be taken into account when determining the length and size of the new deal that will be presented in front of the Frenchman.
Kante is currently Chelsea’s second-highest earner on a reported £290,000-a-week deal, but he will be sidelined for at least a month due to a hamstring injury. PSG have been long-term admirers of the French international and made an attempt to sign the midfielder four years ago. But, he instead opted to pen a new five-year deal with Chelsea. And, as per the Times, PSG could now revisit their interest and may consider a move to sign Kante as a free agent.
The 31-year-old has been a key figure for Chelsea across six seasons and has made 262 appearances in all competitions since arriving in a £32 million deal from Leicester City. After winning the Premier League title with the Foxes, Kante won it again with Chelsea in 2016/17, earning him the PFA Player of the Year award for that season.
He has since won every trophy under the sun, adding the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Europa League to his trophy cabinet during the Chelsea stint, alongside a precious FIFA World Cup triumph with France in 2018.
Kante’s combination of destructive ball-winning ability, high-octane work-rate, progressive attributes, and excellent ball quality has made him a vital cog in this Chelsea side over the years. However, the 31-year-old has not been able to stay healthy and fit consistently lately and has missed over 30 matches since Thomas Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea now have a massive decision on their hands with Kante, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season. He will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January and could thus walk away for free, as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have done this summer, unless Chelsea can tie him down to fresh terms.
Despite his injury troubles, Kante will be in high demand should he look at options beyond Chelsea, with PSG among the clubs contemplating an approach. Les Parisiens entered this summer wanting to bolster their midfield unit. And despite the arrivals of Vitinha and Renato Sanches, the reigning French champions are monitoring Kante’s situation at Chelsea. It remains to be seen how this story develops with just a few days remaining in the summer transfer window.
