Chelsea look set to lose N’Golo Kante at the end of the season as he enters the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 31-year-old is yet to feature under Graham Potter after suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham back in August.
The French midfielder has won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup since arriving at Chelsea.
Kante was signed back in 2016 after completing a £30million switch from reigning Premier League champions at the time, Leicester City.
Kante could join Cristiano Ronaldo in becoming a free agent after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Manchester United prior to the World Cup.
The Blues c ontinue to be linked with a move for Ronaldo after Todd Boehly proposed the idea of signing the 37-year-old to Thomas Tuchel earlier this year.
The former United striker is now on the verge of a potential move to Saudi side Al-Nassr and, if completed, it would see him land a huge £175million-a-year deal which would only increase when he moves into an ambassadorial role after his playing career is over.
There is now a possibility of Ronaldo being joined by Kante, as per The Mirror.
The Portuguese superstar has stalled over a move to Al-Nassr in the hope that a Champions League club comes in with a contract offer for him.
Ronaldo has found a shortage of options and is now reported to be closing in on a move to the Middle East.
According to reports in France, Al-Nassr have now expressed an interest in also signing Kante in what would be a further statement of intent. Foot Mercato and Get French Football News both claim Al-Nassr want Kante on a free transfer when his Chelsea contract expires.
The Chelsea star is thought to not be specifically against a move to Al-Nassr as he looks to keep his options open after enduring a difficult season plagued by injury issues.
France legend Frank Lebouef claimed Kante should consider retirement after struggling with a hamstring injury since August.
Leboeuf told Safe Betting Sites: “I haven’t spoken to him about his fitness and how he feels but it could be that he’s nearing the end of it [his career]. Because the thing is we have to understand that we are talking about a human being. Suddenly your body says okay, enough, leave me alone.”
Kante’s fitness issues this season have highlighted Chelsea’s need for new investment into the midfield with Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Enzo Fernandez all linked with a move to west London.
The French midfielder will have just two months of action left at Stamford Bridge should he return to fitness in March without a further setback and may consider Al-Nassr’s proposal at the end of the season.
Source: Football London
