N’Golo Kante rejects summer free transfers with midfielder on brink of signing new long-term contract at Chelsea
N’GOLO KANTE has rejected summer transfers away from Chelsea in favour of staying at the club, according to reports.
Kante has struggled with injuries which have seen him play just twice this season.
The Frenchman’s current deal at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer.
Despite the arrival of Enzo Fernandez and the expected signing of another central midfielder, Kante has rejected the opportunity to move elsewhere.
Instead, Kante is now close to sealing a new deal at Chelsea, just as he returns to training for under-fire boss Graham Potter.
Fabrizio Romano reported Kante “loves” the Blues and wants to stay in London.
His report states an agreement is close, but the length of the deal remains under discussion.
Previous reports have suggested Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool were all interested in signing the 31-year-old.
Injury issues are becoming progressively worse for Kante since the 2019/20 season.
Indeed, his last game for the club this season came in the 2-2 draw with Spurs on August 14.
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His first season at Stamford Bridge in 2016/17 saw him miss just three league games, one of which was through suspension, as Chelsea lifted the title under Antonio Conte.
He then missed just five league games through injury in the next two seasons.
The 2019/20 season saw Kante miss 16 league games, before missing a further 18 league games in 2020/21 and 2021/22.
The 22 games Kante has missed this season is his worst injury at Chelsea to date.
Regardless, when fully fit there are few better ball-winners in world football.