Chelsea star N’Golo Kante has emerged as a potential transfer target for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, according to reports.
The French international has struggled this year with injuries and looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge when his contract comes to an end next summer.
A number of clubs have already made their interest in Kante known and it appears that the Saudi high-flyers have emerged as the frontrunners to sign him.
According to Foot Mercato, Al-Nassr are keen on adding Kante to their squad when his deal expires at the end of the season.
The former Leicester City man has not played since mid-August, and has yet to feature for a Graham Potter side since his appointment as manager.
However, that is not enough to deter the Saudi Arabian side from pursuing the World Cup and Premier League winner.
They are looking to add both Kante and former Man United star Cristiano Ronaldo to their squad in the coming months.
It was only this week that Chelsea head coach Graham Potter confirmed Kante will not be available for selection until the end of February or start of March as the midfielder recovers from hamstring surgery.
The midfielder underwent surgery on his hamstring in October, ruling him out of action for four months.
‘He will be a while, end of Feb, start of March,’ Potter said. ‘It was a surgery, so it is a minimum period of four months pretty much.
‘I think my focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible, everyone knows the quality he has.’
Al-Nassr will have to work fast if they want to secure a deal for the Frenchman, with Barcelona also interested in the midfielder’s services.
The Catalan side see him as a viable option to help fix their midfield struggles and would barely cost anything given the fact he’ll become a free agent.
However, if the 31-year-old’s physical presence is limited by lingering injuries, it may scupper a potential move to Spain for the World Cup winner.
