Soccer

Chelsea on the verge of signing N’Golo Kante for €35 million

French midfielder has informed Leicester City he wants Stamford Bridge switch

Chelsea have agreed a fee for Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante. Photograph: Getty
Chelsea have agreed a fee for Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante. Photograph: Getty
Fabrizio Romano
Fri Jul 15 2016 - 14:37

Chelsea are poised to sign N'Golo Kanté after agreeing a deal with Leicester City which, with add-ons, could be worth €35m (£29.2m).

Kanté has informed Leicester he wants to move to Stamford Bridge after Claudio Ranieri said it was up to the midfielder to choose. A few details need to be finalised before the transfer is announced but Chelsea's manager, Antonio Conte, has been in touch with the France international to welcome him.

Leicester are making a significant profit on Kanté, whom they signed from Caen a year ago for around £5.5m. He will be the first significant member of their title-winning squad to depart, Jamie Vardy having chosen to reject a move to Arsenal.

Kanté, 25, is Conte’s second signing for Chelsea, following the striker Michy Batshuayi. The manager has indicated he wants up to two more players.

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Ranieri said on Thursday: “We offered Kanté a new deal before he went to the Euros. Now I know there are a lot of big teams interested. It’s in his hands.”