It is an open secret that Barcelona are in the market for a new defensive midfielder is they prepare to bid goodbye to captain Sergio Busquets at the end of the season.
It is also well-known that the Catalan giants are not in the pinkest of health financially and will once again dip their toes into the free-agent pool for signings. It has led to the Blaugrana getting linked with a host of players who will see their contracts expire in 2023.
And according to SPORT, Chelsea superstar N’Golo Kante is a player that Barcelona have on their radar as a potential reinforcement in the pivot position for next summer.
The report claims that Barça manager likes Kante, but the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner’s recent injury issues are a cause for concern.
The 31-year-old has been dealing with a myriad of fitness issues over the past couple of seasons. In fact, he is currently out on the sidelines as well due to a hamstring injury. Having undergone surgery, the French international is out of action for at least four months.
According to data from Transfermarkt, Kante has missed as many as 34 matches since the start of the last season due to injuries. And it is bound to raise some red flags within the Blaugrana camp ahead of their pursuit of the Chelsea ace.
Kante will be turning 32 years old in March, which is another factor that Barcelona must consider before deciding to take a punt on him. On top of that, Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the Chelsea ace as his contract expires next summer.
So, Barcelona will have to make a decision carefully as it could prove to be a risky move.