N'Golo Kante Is a Must-Have Signing for Paris Saint-Germain This Summer

Already linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, according to Le Parisien (h/t Alex Young of Goal.com), the Ligue 1 champions have jumped above Arsenal in the race to sign Leicester City's N'Golo Kante.

Born in the French capital, the former SM Caen midfielder has been a revelation in the Premier League, playing a major part in the Foxes' march to the title. After reportedly turning down a new contract and with the Gunners trying to negotiate a fee lower than his £20 million release clause, PSG are the front-runners to land the 25-year-old.

Despite being named as part of Didier Deschamps' France squad for this summer's European Championships, his stock is unlikely to rise any higher than it is now. Being part of the 23-man list gives him even more respect within his home nation and makes him an ideal target for PSG.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's departure leaves a gargantuan hole in the team, one that is virtually impossible to replace. However, as much as the Parisians need a big-name star to keep them relevant and interesting to outsiders—as discussed by Gabriele Marcotti of ESPN FC—they need talented and exceptional additions this summer to help fulfil club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi's dream of lifting the Champions League trophy.

All too often, PSG's midfield was left exposed in the competition last year, especially when they had to play without Marco Verratti. Thiago Motta isn't getting any younger, and Blaise Matuidi—although still loved by the home fans—didn't have the best of seasons, winning only 44 per cent of his duels in this year's Champions League matches, per Squawka.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Kante would provide the PSG midfield with everything they lack. His relentless ball-winning and drive to retrieve the ball would be priceless in the Champions League. He won't need to put in the same level of effort in their weekly league fixtures, but he is the kind of player who would set an example and drive the team forward no matter the score or the opposition.

When cruising against weaker opponents, PSG are guilty of taking their foot off the gas and becoming complacent. Kante doesn't play like that. Ever since he was at US Boulogne, he's rarely stopped to take a breather.

After helping Caen gain promotion to Ligue 1, the midfielder took to France's top flight like a duck to water, showing his energy and drive—qualities that caught the attention of astute onlookers.

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And finally, the PLAYER OF THE SEASON

N'Golo Kante !!#LCFC #havingaparty pic.twitter.com/MIZciN6i4g

— OutsideoftheBoot.com (@OOTB_football) May 23, 2016"

It was no surprise to those who had watched him just how well he adapted to life in England. No one had predicted just how well Leicester would do, but Kante's excellence was no shock.

Every test that has been thrown in front of him, he has passed with flying colours. He has made himself a lock in Deschamps' 23-man squad, and there is nothing to suggest he won't become a wonderful addition to a Champions League side.

PSG will still need to pursue their new star man, the name that will sell shirts and merchandise, but they need to do everything they can to make sure Kante is the man doing the graft behind any marquee signings.

With Verratti at the base and Kante with Adrien Rabiot or Matuidi on the left, PSG are set to prosper for the next five seasons, with the three younger midfielders all able to develop further.

PSG need names to continue to grow off the field, but they need Kante if they want to dominate on it.