Chelsea leap in for talks with Leicester’s France midfielder N’Golo Kante – but might need to pay more than his £20million release clause to win signature race
Ex-Italy boss Antonio Conte is straight into squad rebuilding as the new Stamford Bridge chief before his first training session
CHELSEA have leapt straight in for talks with France's Leicester midfielder N'Golo Kante.
But new Blues boss Antonio Conte might need to pay more than his £20million release clause to land one of the Premier League's hottest arrivals last season.
Chinese club Shanghai SIPG have already offered £35m - and the Foxes are allowed to sell to the highest bidder.
But Kante is thought to have Chelsea top of his wishlist.
And outgoing Italy chief Conte has wasted no time in firming up his interest in the anchorman, just two days after the Euros finished with Portugal beating France 1-0 in the final.
Kante, 25, rejected a new £100,000-a-week deal with title-winning Leicester.
And Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus have all monitored his incredible progress this year.
Conte wants new zest in a Chelsea midfield where previous star man Eden Hazard was so muted last term.
The Blues already had bids for Roma’s Belgium star Radja Nainggolan turned down before focusing more on Kante.
Conte's first training session as Blues boss is on Wednesday.
