PSG persevere with damaging Chelsea raid as Ligue 1 giants put pressure on by contacting midfield star

Chelsea are not out of danger yet in their attempts to keep one of their main midfielders away from Paris Saint-Germain, a report has claimed.

Chelsea’s midfield has been undergoing something of an evolution in recent months. In that territory, they broke the British transfer record to sign Enzo Fernandez in January. It was a response to the sale of Jorginho to rivals Arsenal.

Jorginho was approaching the end of his contract at Stamford Bridge. Presently, the same is true for his now former teammate, N’Golo Kante.

The Frenchman has been out of action since August due to injury, but is nearing a return and has featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break. In terms of competitive action, he will have celebrated his 32nd birthday by the time he sets foot on a football pitch again.

That said, Chelsea have some confidence that Kante will prove his importance again. Therefore, they have been trying to extend his contract.

Earlier this month, reports began to indicate that Chelsea were closing in on a new deal for Kante.

An update from 90min, though, has now revealed that PSG are still eager to interrupt proceedings and take the ex-Caen man back to Ligue 1.

While admitting Kante’s preference is still to remain in London, the report claims PSG are in contact with his representatives still. After all, they are allowed to be since his contract is in its final six months.

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Kante could leave Chelsea for second Ligue 1 chance

Kante only ever spent one season in Ligue 1 with Caen (2014-15) after previously helping them to promotion in his debut campaign with the club. Then, he joined Leicester and became a Premier League winner with the Foxes and subsequently Chelsea.

Perhaps there is a chance that he could end up back in his native country’s top division. Chelsea still don’t want that to be the case, though.

Head coach Graham Potter hasn’t been able to use Kante yet. Therefore, it would be an obvious boost for him to work with the 2018 World Cup winner.

And if Chelsea get their way, while Potter keeps his job, that could be the case next season too. In fact, there have been suggestions that Kante’s contract extension would last for two or three years.

Whether he will be as prominent in that time as he was prior to his injury could be debated if Chelsea invest further. But his previous 262 appearances for the club have enabled him to deserve the opportunity to continue in the blue shirt.

Hence, if PSG want to evolve their own midfield department, they might have to look at targets other than Kante. Yet their lingering interest will act as a reminder to Chelsea to hurry up their own negotiations.

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