Chelsea: Kante switch to Chelsea almost a done deal

Antonio Conte will face the press for the first time as Chelsea manager this afternoon. As was the case during Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola's first press conferences, Conte will undoubtedly be asked who his main targets are during this transfer window. Although he will likely be coy on the matter, the former Italy manager does already appear to have a number of targets in mind for his new-look Chelsea side.
Over the past few days it has emerged that one of these targets is Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante. Reports in France are today claiming that Chelsea have tabled a £29 million bid for the midfielder and are hoping for some progress on the deal over the course of the weekend. It is claimed that senior figures at Leicester are now considering the offer from their pre-season training camp in Austria.

 

The 25-year-old was a crucial component of the Foxes title-winning side and they will not allow him to leave easily. However, it is looking likely that Kante will join one of Europe’s top clubs this summer, something which former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has also encouraged him to do. The Blues are likely to face competition for the player’s signature, with Real Madrid and Chinese club Shanghai SIPG also apparently interested.
Conte’s job is made harder by the fact that Chelsea failed to qualify for Europe this season. This will obviously make it more difficult for him to attract the continent’s best players, but the Italian will hope that Kante looks beyond this season and focuses on the potential of a long-term future at Stamford Bridge when making his decision.