Chelsea are at risk of losing N’Golo Kante on a free transfer as talks over a new contract for the midfielder stall.
Kante’s current deal expires at the end of the season and the west Londoners have been in negotiations with the France international over an extension.
However, a breakthrough has not been found and Kante will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides in January, with Paris Saint-Germain retaining a long-standing interest in the midfielder.
According to the Mail, discussions have stalled due to Kante’s desire for a longer contract, having seen Kalidou Koulibaly, also 31, handed a four-year deal during the summer.
Chelsea’s current terms are for a two-year contract with the option of a further season, with the Blues having considered Kante’s recent record with injuries when offering a new deal.
Kante has suffered a series of muscular problems in recent campaigns and has not started 20+ league games in a season since 2018/19. Graham Potter discussed Kante’s situation ahead of Chelsea’s clash with AC Milan on Wednesday and said contract talks are between the club and player.
“My focus is to help him rehabilitate in a good way so he is available for us,” Potter said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “When on the pitch, he is a huge asset for us. The other stuff (contract talks) is between the club and him.
“My focus is to help him get fit and enjoying his football. There are not many players in world football like him, so the quicker he is back for us the better. That is where I leave my focus.”
