Real Madrid still want to sign Leicester star N’Golo Kante after dropping out of race for Man United target Paul Pogba
Zinedine Zidane won't challenge Jose Mourinho for Juventus midfielder but wants Kante to bring balance to Bernabeu
REAL MADRID are still keen on signing Leicester star N’Golo Kante after dropping out of the race for Paul Pogba.
Los Blancos have reportedly ended their interest in the Juventus ace after being priced out of a move by Manchester United.
The Red Devils are allegedly set to launch a £100million bid, and Zinedine Zidane looks unlikely to match the offer as he first needs to sell in order to buy.
Big names including Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez have been linked with Bernabeu exits, with young defender Raphael Varane also tipped for a move.
But Spanish paper claims Zidane is still looking to push ahead with a bid for Kante after registering his interest earlier this summer, and the midfielder is available for just £20m thanks to a release clause in his Foxes deal.
Zidane reportedly sees Kante as perfect competition for solo defensive midfielder Casemiro, and also believes the Frenchman would bring some much-needed balance to his attack-minded squad.
Related Stories
Leicester have already prepared for Kante’s departure by signing Nampalys Mendy from Nice, but the report adds that Chelsea and Juventus will provide Real with stiff competition.
New Blues boss Antonio Conte wants the 25-year-old to beef up his midfield options next season, while Juventus have earmarked him as a replacement for Old Trafford target Pogba.
Arsenal have also been linked despite missing out on teammate Jamie Vardy, while new Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery is said to be fan.
But the European giants could all be set for a shock following a reported approach from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG.
The big-spenders are managed by former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson and have just smashed the Asian transfer record by spending £45m on Brazil ace Hulk.
But Shanghai are still keen to splash the cash after handing Hulk £320,000-a-week wages, and Kante could be tempted to cash in on a lucrative deal instead of remaining on the continent.