Chelsea Transfer News: N'Golo Kante Fee Reportedly Agreed, Latest Blues Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a €35 million (£29.1 million) fee with Leicester City for star midfielder N’Golo Kante. 

The report is from Le Parisien (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express), and it’s suggested the former Caen man will sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

According to John Percy of the Daily Telegraph, the France international has turned down a new contract with his current club that includes a weekly salary of £100,000, although he noted the Foxes are ready to make the player a better offer in an attempt to keep him.

“Claudio Ranieri has pleaded with his stars to stay for at least one more year, and Leicester are determined to ensure that Kante, a £5.6 million signing from Caen last summer, does not leave without a fight,” added Percy, who noted that as well as the Blues, Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG want to sign the 25-year-old.

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Kante was a revelation with Leicester last term, as his energy in the middle of the pitch epitomised the manner in which the team played. He was central to the Foxes surging to the summit of the Premier League and holding their nerve in the final weeks of the season. 

While he is capable in possession and can drive forward with the ball, Kante’s main assets are his defensive qualities. These numbers from WhoScored.com show just how influential he was in protecting Leicester’s back four last season:

For new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, getting the midfielder on board would be a brilliant piece of business. The Italian has always sought to instill energetic players in his teams, something he has shown during stints with Juventus and Italy. Kante would be perfect for this particular blueprint.

Having played such a significant role for the Foxes last term, it would be a massive shame for Leicester fans if Kante didn’t decide to give the club another season and sample UEFA Champions League football at the King Power Stadium.

Even with that to come, not to mention the prospect of a new deal, the lure of the Blues and Conte may be too strong.

Napoli Want £50 Million for Kalidou Koulibaly 

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According to Tom Collomosse of the Evening Standard, Napoli will hold out for €60 million (£51.6 million) if they are to sell reported Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly.

As noted in the piece, that would break the British record transfer fee for a central defender, which stands at the £42 million mark that Manchester City paid for Eliaquim Mangala. Collomosse also noted that Everton are interested in the Senegal international.

Koulibaly emerged as one of the top defenders in Serie A last term with Napoli, who qualified for the Champions League after a strong campaign. Here is a look at what he can offer:

Despite his influence, Napoli’s asking price is excessive. After all, the defender is unproven in the Premier League, and as the struggles of Mangala at City have shown, it’s a division that is tough for defenders to excel in when joining from abroad.

Koulibaly has the qualities to thrive in English football. As these numbers from WhoScored.com show, the 25-year-old is an expert in winning back possession for his team:

The Blues need to bolster this area of the pitch. Skipper John Terry signing a new contract was a big boost for everyone at the club, but at 35, Conte will have to manage the centre-back's minutes. Meanwhile, Gary Cahill continues to split opinion, while Kurt Zouma is still raw and recovering from a serious injury.

So the acquisition of a powerful, ball-playing centre-back would be most welcome at Stamford Bridge. It’s a deal that would surely only be done if Napoli relax their asking price for the defender, though.