Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has once again emerged as a top target for Italian clubs, with Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan all reportedly eyeing a move for the player in 2023.
The defensive midfielder started the opening two Premier League games of the season for the Blues. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham and has not featured since.
Injury issues have certainly hampered the France star in recent campaigns. But when he is fit, Kante is still regarded as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.
And the 31-year-old still has a market for his signature, according to the latest reports.
Tutto Juve claims that Juventus ‘want to buy’ Kante, amid significant interest from the Milan clubs as well.
The Turin outfit are looking to strengthen their engine room after a woeful start to the new season.
Massimiliano Allegri is coming under huge pressure to keep his job, with Juventus currently eighth in Serie A after seven games while they’ve also lost their opening two Champions League fixtures.
That has led to rumours of a return to Juve for former coach Antonio Conte.
The Tottenham chief is said to have called off plans to discuss a contract extension in north London, amid talk he could swap London for Turin in the not-so-distant future.
Juventus midfield struggles prominent
As for Kante, he is being linked with Juve again due to their current midfield struggles.
Manuel Locatelli, who has been linked with a move to England, has been out of form. Paul Pogba, meanwhile, remains on the sidelines as he continues to struggle with a knee problem.
The France midfielder has yet to make a competitive appearance since returning to Juventus on a free transfer in July.
He is also a major doubt for the World Cup in Qatar. That is after he opted to undergo surgery to solve a lesion to the lateral meniscus in his right knee.
The report adds that Allegri feels Kante is the perfect partner for Pogba, once he returns to full fitness.
However, Juve will have to battle both Milan clubs if they are to get their man.
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether new Chelsea boss Graham Potter can convince Kante to extend his stay in west London.
But with the midfielder’s contract running down, he could decide to follow the leads of former Chelsea teammates Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso.
The trio all quit Stamford Bridge on free transfers over the summer. And they ended up with big paydays at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
Time for Chelsea to cash in on Kante
A great player no doubt, but it’s time for Chelsea to consider moving on from N’Golo Kante.
On his day there are not many better defensive midfielders in world football than the 31-year-old. However, injuries have often robbed the Blues of being able to pick one of their top players for a run of games.
Graham Potter is expected to be backed to build a new Chelsea side in the image he wants.
While that could take a few transfer windows, it’s best to get something for Kante while they still can.
Brighton star Moises Caicedo has already admitted he could not turn down the chance to join Potter at Stamford Bridge, if it was presented to him.
The 20-year-old is a powerful box-to-box presence who could excel under his old boss in London.
Caicedo could end up as part of a completely revamped Chelsea engine room, with Jorginho also being tipped to head back to Italy.
One thing is for sure, Potter should be allowed to make build his own team. It might just not involve N’Golo Kante anymore.
