Al-Nassr target N’Golo Kante after Ronaldo deal | OneFootball

Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr are targeting a deal for N’Golo Kante this summer, according to Foot Mercato.

They want to sign the Frenchman on a free transfer when his contract expires in June. He has six months left on his deal with Chelsea and can start talking to potential clubs this January.

It looks likely that Kante will not be signing a new deal with Chelsea. The club has been holding out a new contract because of Kante’s fitness issues. They wanted him to sign a lower contract than he is currently on, but he rejected the chance.

However, Kante is of interest to Barcelona and Juventus, who want to sign him on a free transfer.

Barcelona utilised the free agent market last summer and might return to the same strategy this summer. Juventus need a physical profile in midfield to add some grit and the box-to-box phenom is an option.

Al-Nassr have also entered the discussions for the former Leicester City midfielder. The top-division Saudi side is close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo on a bumper contract.

Following the signing of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, they want to push for Kante, who will be free from his £350k-per-year contract with Chelsea.

Kante relapsed from the injury that has plagued him since October 2022. The player was stretchered off during his side’s clash with Tottenham Hotspurs.

He has not played a game for the Blues since, plus the added time of the relapse. Chelsea head coach Graham Potter said he will not be back in action until late February or early March.

Kante is arguably Chelsea’s best player on his day, but they have missed his presence on the pitch. Former head coach Thomas Tuchel complained about the availability of the French international.

In Al-Nassr, former Lyon and AS Roma boss Rudi Garcia is the head coach. Kante will join other former European players like goalkeeper David Ospina, defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar.