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Arsenal are eyeing a shock move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante as Mikel Arteta continues to rebuild his team ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
Kante has been one of the stars of the Chelsea engine room since joining in 2016 but has entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 31-year-old Frenchman was hit by injuries last season as he made just 21 Premier League starts, but remains one of the club’s top earners.
Daily Star reports London rivals Arsenal are waiting in the wings to cash in on Kante who has one year left on his contract.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to add quality in defensive midfield this summer and there are not much better in that role than World Cup, Premier League and Champions League winner Kante.
Kante is currently absent from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA with vaccination rules denying him entry into the country.
Despite a poor run in the 2021-22 campaign, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admires Kante and it remains to be seen whether he would let him leave for a direct rival.
Manchester United are also said to be keeping tabs on Kante, though Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong remains boss Erik ten Hag’s priority.
The Red Devils, like Arsenal, are also keen on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez meaning an approach for Kante will likely be put on the back burners.