Al-Nassr 'interested in signing Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante'

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Al-Nassr.

Kante has enjoyed a legendary stint at Stamford Bridge, making 262 appearances in all competitions and counting the Premier League and Champions League in his collection of silverware.

The France international, for a time, was regarded as the best midfielder in the world while at Stamford Bridge, but the 31-year-old has been plagued with injuries in recent years.

Kante has not featured for Chelsea since the middle of August, a hamstring injury eventually requiring surgery and leaving him sidelined until at least the end of February.

That period of inactivity comes at a time when he has just over six months remaining on his contract, and Chelsea are said to be giving serious thought to parting ways with Kante on a free transfer.

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However, the 2018 World Cup winner would not be short of suitors with Barcelona said to be among a number of top European clubs who are monitoring the situation.

Nevertheless, according to Foot Mercato, Al-Nassr may attempt to secure Kante's signature ahead of any clubs offering Champions League football.

The Saudi Arabian club are in the market to make at least one statement signing as soon as possible and Kante would fall into that bracket should he be tempted into a switch to the Middle East.

For a number of weeks, Al-Nassr have allegedly been attempting to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a free agent after his departure from Manchester United.

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A recent report has claimed that the Saudi Arabian government was prepared to give their backing to any move in a bid to attract Ronaldo to the country.

Any deal for Ronaldo is unlikely to deter Al-Nassr's efforts for Kante, although the former Leicester City man is not expected to make any quick decisions regarding his future.

From January onwards, Kante can speak to any foreign clubs with regards to a pre-contract agreement, and he may be prepared to wait for any developments with Chelsea while they wait for his return to action.

Kante's Chelsea teammate Jorginho finds himself in the same position, with the Italian publicly admitting that he wishes to extend his time in West London.