Arsenal Transfer News: N'Golo Kante Talks Opened, Denis Suarez Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly leading the charge to sign Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante this summer and have already entered discussions with his representatives.

That's according to RMC Sport (h/t the Daily Star's Jamie Styles), who said the Gunners are "keen to hold further talks before they bid £19.8 million and activate his release clause."

Per Styles, the Frenchman only arrived at the King Power Stadium last summer, but when questioned on his future recently, he said: "I will fight for Leicester this season and next season we never know and we will see."

The Gunners have long needed a player of Kante's mould in midfield—one capable of regaining possession, reliably shielding the back four and even picking out passes going forward.

In January, they signed Mohamed Elneny, and the Egyptian has impressed, going some way to making Arsenal harder to beat, as Squawka Football revealed:

Francis Coquelin's development in recent seasons has also been a source of encouragement.

However, according to Styles, the likes of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky will all depart in the summer so there's certainly room for another midfielder to come in, particularly one of Kante's undoubted quality.

Per Squawka, the 25-year-old has made a staggering 115 successful tackles in the Premier League this season and 148 interceptions, as well as creating 28 chances, thanks to his unrivalled stamina, tireless running and ability to drive forward from midfield.

Football writer Liam Canning remarked on his exceptional form:

Former Leicester striker Gary Lineker and Henry Winter of the Times believe he is the champions' player of the season:

If he can be snapped up for less than £20 million, Arsenal should consider him a must-buy this summer if they're to match their rivals next season.

The Gunners are also reportedly one of several Premier League clubs to have made an inquiry into signing Villarreal playmaker Denis Suarez, according to Marca's Ramiro Aldunate and Lucas Navarrete.

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The 22-year-old has impressed at El Madrigal this season with four goals and seven assists in La Liga. He has also shone in the UEFA Europa League, per Opta Jose:

Suarez was formerly a Barcelona player, though, and as the Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon notes, they can re-sign him in a bargain deal:

Indeed, per Aldunate and Navarrete, they "have announced many times" they will activate the buy-back clause. Further, he appears to have some assurances on the matter as "he knows that he will also be a Barcelona player next season if president Josep Maria Bartomeu keeps his word."

After such an excellent campaign and being available for so little, it seems likely Barca will indeed recruit him once more this summer. If not, the Gunners should consider making an offer, though he'd likely cost them far more and a creator should not be a priority in the transfer window.