Chelsea midfielder and France international, N’Golo Kante, has finally broken his long-held silence on rumors linking him to a summer exit from Chelsea.
After being dealt with a devastating injury blow in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham early in the season, Kante’s Chelsea future has been a doubt with Todd Boehly’s strategy targeting teenage players for his new Chelsea project.
The World Cup winner has dominated transfer headlines with some reports linking him to a summer exit from Stamford Bridge.
Futballnews understand contract renewal talks between Chelsea and N’Golo Kante suffered a temporary setback before the 2022 World Cup.
The two parties have been on the negotiation table trying to thrash out their differences and broker a new deal.
N’Golo Kante’s Chelsea contract will run out at the end of the season but a new deal is yet to be brokered hence the rumors on his potential exit from the club in the summer.
Chelsea want to retain N’Golo Kante and Kante equally want to stay at the club but both parties were yet to arrive at a conclusion on the duration of the proposed new contract.
Chelsea still consider him an integral part of the first team but are only ready to offer him a two-year contract. The offer was turned down by Kante who wanted a long-term deal before committing his future to the club.
The contract renewal deadlock has lingered with just a month and few weeks remaining in his contract.
After a spell on the sidelines, Kante is back to the Chelsea squad but his future at the club has remained uncertain since a new deal is yet to be agreed.
There have been speculations he will leave at the end of the season. Barcelona have been linked to Kante with the Laliga title hopefuls planning to sign free agents in the summer due to their financial misfortunes.
Arsenal have also been linked to the Frenchman as the Gunners prepare for a fresh challenge next season.
Amidst the rumors of his imminent exit, N’Golo Kante has finally broken his silence on his Chelsea future.
When asked by Sky Sport if he will stay at Chelsea, Kante said;
“For sure, it is an exciting project.
”Unfortunately this season hasn’t been to Chelsea’s standards. But everyone wants to go in this way, the way of success and winning titles.”
In spite of his struggles with injury, Kante is regarded as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the game. In his seven years stint with the club, he has made 269 appearances, scoring 13 goals.
The former Leicester City star seemed to have settled the scores with the club’s hierachy on the contract renewal deadlock.
Daily Mail reports Chelsea is still offering him a two-year contract but with a one-year extension clause which will see him stay at the club till 2025 or 2026.
However, it is yet to be confirmed he has signed a new contract. Chelsea are yet to issue an official statement to that effect.
