N’Golo Kante’s contract talks at Chelsea are reportedly into its ‘final stages’ with the French midfielder expected to commit his future to the club.
The 31-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season, prompting reported interest from top European clubs including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Recent months have seen Kante move closer to extending his stay at Stamford Bridge, with negotiations having progressed over a new contract.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the talks are now in their ‘final stages’ with the last details needing to be resolved.
Romano has claimed Kante’s positive feelings toward Chelsea are a key factor in the negotiation, with the midfielder also keen to stay in west London.
N’Golo Kante’s contract talks with Chelsea are reportedly now into their ‘final stages’
The defensive midfielder is expected to sign an initial two-year contract extension at the club
Kante is expected to sign a two-year deal until 2025, with Chelsea having an option to extend the contract for a further year.
The 31-year-old has been a crucial part of Chelsea’s first team since arriving from Leicester for £32million in 2016, helping the Blues to a Premier League title and Champions League trophy during his seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge so far.
Negotiations have taken place despite Kante having been ruled out of action since Chelsea’s second game of the season against Tottenham back in August.
Kante suffered a serious hamstring injury in the match, which led to him being ruled out of the World Cup with France.
The defensive midfielder returned to training earlier this month and was part of the matchday squad for their draw against Everton last Saturday.
Kante was an unused substitute for the match, but has since played for an hour in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Charlton as he steps up his recovery.
His importance to the club is such that manager Graham Potter will be keen to reintroduce him as soon as possible.
However Potter stressed that it would not be a straight-forward road to recovery for Kante earlier in March.
Kante has stepped up his recovery from a long-term injury in a behind closed doors match
Team-mates Mason Mount and Thiago Silva watched Kante’s return to action on Friday
The French midfielder has been out of action since a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August
‘It’s a complex one with [Kante] because he has had a long time out,’ Potter said at his pre-match press conference before the Blues’ Champions League aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.
‘It’ll be a case of how we get him back up to speed to play Premier League or Champions League football. He won’t be able to go back in for 90 minutes any time soon but the fact he is with us is exciting.’
Chelsea currently lie 10th in the Premier League and will face Aston Villa on April 1 following the international break.
The Blues will play Liverpool and Wolves, before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against holders Real Madrid.
source: dailymail.co.uk
