Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Gabriel Barbosa and N'Golo Kante Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly growing increasingly confident of completing a deal for Santos striker Gabriel Barbosa.

That’s according to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, who said the 19-year-old, known as “Gabigol,” is edging closer to the Blues in a possible £25 million transfer. Juventus are also interested in the forward, although Lewis noted Chelsea have an “offer on the table” and the player is keen on moving to the Premier League.

There’s always a degree of excitement when a young Brazilian player emerges, although the hype seems to have credence when it comes to Barbosa. Here’s a look at what he’s capable of producing:

The Blues have made a habit of landing Brazilian talent in recent years, with Oscar and Willian part of the first-team squad, while the likes of Kenedy has been on the periphery and Nathan has been out on loan at Vitesse Arnhem.

Barbosa, 19, looks like he could make an immediate impact in the first team, though. He’s operated primarily at the point of the attack for Santos, drifting into wide positions, committing defenders and getting on the end of crosses.

Comparisons with Neymar, who also broke through at Santos, are natural, but he’s more of a centre-forward than his compatriot.

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He’s started this campaign with four goals and one assist in nine appearances. Squawka Football broke down his previous season:

Chelsea’s attacking options could do with addressing. Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi will both bring different qualities to the point of the attack, but at the moment, the only reserve available to Antonio Conte is the injury-prone Loic Remy. It’s a supplementary role you sense would be ideal for Gabigol if he was to head to Stamford Bridge.

Moving to Europe is a massive step for the youngster, though, and it’s a decision he needs to take time over. The Premier League is an unforgiving league, and while he’s already represented the Brazil national team four times, it is a division that takes some getting used to.

For now, staying at Santos and continuing to mature may be ideal for the Selecao tyro.

Chelsea Step Up N’Golo Kante Pursuit

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According to John Percy and Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea have accelerated their efforts to secure Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante, making a £29 million bid for the player.

“Leicester’s hierarchy were discussing Chelsea’s bid in Austria on Wednesday night yet remain hopeful of persuading the 25-year-old to stay for at least another season,” the piece continued, noting the France international has turned down a new deal offering £100,000 a week from the Premier League winners.

The former Caen man was outstanding for the Foxes in his debut season in English football, propelling his side to a surprise title triumph. Former England international Gary Lineker believes Kante was the best player in the Premier League in 2015-16:

That’s difficult to argue with. Kante took the division by storm, showcasing relentless energy, brilliant appetite for the defensive side of the game and the ability to convert defence into attack with his rapid surges forward.

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For Chelsea he’d potentially be a wonderful acquisition. At times last term, the Blues were easily overrun in the middle of the park, and after the sale of Ramires, they lost a player who could provide that thrust from a central berth. Kante can replicate that and offer a more tuned defensive presence, too.

For a manager who demands intensity in both defence and attack, Kante would be the perfect player to operate at the hub of Conte's team. These numbers from WhoScored.com illustrate that emphatically:

Leicester would be disappointed to lose Kante, as he would be key to the club enjoying some success in the UEFA Champions League in 2016-17. But playing for an established side like Chelsea under one of the best managers in the game would surely be appealing for the player; if he can replicate the standards of last term, £29 million would be money well spent by the Blues.