Arsenal Transfer News: N'Golo Kante Boost, Ben Chilwell, Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal have been given a boost in their pursuit of Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante, with the Foxes reportedly "increasingly concerned [he] could be prised away by [the Gunners] this summer."

According to Joe Mewis in the Mirror, Kante, who has a reported release clause of just £20 million, has yet to commit his future to the Premier League champions and his "team-mates and King Power [Stadium] officials now fear he could be tempted to link up with fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger at the Emirates."

Indeed, the Sun's Jim Sheridan indicated that Arsenal are in "pole position" to sign the midfield enforcer in a "cut price" deal.

Certainly the £20 million fee is more than affordable for a club of Arsenal's stature, and Kante could prove an absolute bargain if he can reproduce his 2015-16 form on a consistent basis.

Per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe and Dean Jones, the 25-year-old was the Premier League's best player during the extraordinary 2015-16 term, his tireless efforts in the deep-lying midfield role vital to the Foxes' title win:

Arsenal have been crying out for a player like Kante since Patrick Vieira's departure in 2005, and the Frenchman looks ready-made to slot into the current Gunners side.

He would add steel, craft and solidity to a midfield that is lacking many players who can effectively protect the back four and interrupt opposition attacks—aside from the injury-prone Francis Coquelin.

Per football writer Matt Spiro, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri already has a replacement for Kante lined up, a further indication that Arsenal could pull off a brilliant midfield signing this summer:

Elsewhere, the Gunners reportedly also have their eye on Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, but Liverpool are keen on the 19-year-old as well.

Per Alex Wood in the Daily Star, the Foxes rejected a bid from Arsenal for Chilwell last summer, but Gunners boss Wenger is still a fan of the youngster after his recent successful loan spell at Championship club Huddersfield Town.

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However, Terriers head coach David Wagner has "recommended" Englishman Chilwell to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, and thus Wenger could have a "battle on his hands," added Wood.

Nacho Monreal is Arsenal's current No. 1 left-back, but the Gunners are short on cover at the position and, given Chilwell's obvious talent, he could prove an excellent back-up and long-term successor for the 30-year-old Spaniard.