Talks between Chelsea and N'Golo Kante over a new deal are reportedly progressing to the final stages following a protracted period of negotiations.
For the past several months, the future of the France international has been a major talking point in West London as he runs down the final year of his deal.
Despite his struggles to stay fit over the past couple of seasons, Kante is still viewed as an indispensable member of the squad when fully fit, and Todd Boehly has been keen to agree a new contract with the midfielder.
However, there was initially thought to have been discord over the length of any new contract, as Chelsea were only prepared to offer a two-year deal with the option of a third, whereas Kante was after a firm three years.
Stalling negotiations supposedly piqued the interest of both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, but Kante's priority was to find an agreement with Chelsea.
© Reuters
Earlier this month, it was reported that the two parties had reached a breakthrough in negotiations, with Kante now willing to sign the two-year offer on the table.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 31-year-old remains in dialogue with the Blues over a new deal, and talks could soon reach the final stages.
Chelsea need only iron out the final few details before Kante puts pen to paper on a renewal until 2025, and the club would also possess an option to extend until 2026.
The former Leicester City man has just two senior appearances to his name this season, having spent almost seven months on the sidelines with a severe hamstring injury, but he was back on the pitch in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly with Charlton Athletic.
Having made the bench for last weekend's draw with Everton, Kante could now force his way into Graham Potter's plans for the visit of Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, in what would be his first Blues appearance since August's 2-2 stalemate with Tottenham Hotspur.
© Reuters
Since departing Leicester for Stamford Bridge in 2016, the Frenchman has continued to forge a reputation as one of Europe's leading midfielders, contributing 13 goals and 15 assists in 262 matches.
Kante has won the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in the English capital, as well as clinching World Cup glory with France in 2018.
While Kante is seemingly set to carry on at Chelsea for a little while longer, the Blues are at risk of losing Mateo Kovacic, who will become a free agent in 2024 as things stand.
All of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are said to be interested in the Croatian, who is also wanted for a reunion at Bayern Munich by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher could also be the subject of interest from elsewhere amid their lack of regular starts, as Boehly seeks to raise funds for another spending spree in the summer.
Ben Knapton
