There is a 'serious chance' that Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante could leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The former Leicester City star has been a fixture of the Blues success in recent seasons as he's been pivotal in the middle of the pitch during Chelsea's Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League triumphs.
However, Kante has now entered the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge but his gametime has been depleted following a string of injuries which has resigned him to just 28 appearances during the last two seasons.
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His latest setback was a hamstring injury that has kept him out since the second game of the campaign.
Over the weekend, a report was published in France which suggested that Kante is a potential target of Barcelona. Director of Football, Mateu Alemany, has previously indicated that they are looking to delve into the market of free transfers next summer.
Their financial difficulties has been no secret, although it didn't stop them in beating the Blues to the signings of Raphinha and Jules Kounde in the summer.
With Barcelona keeping tabs on the situation in West London, Romano has conceded that there is a "serious chance" that his soon-to-be seven-year spell with Chelsea could come to an end.
However, there is "nothing advanced" between the two clubs so far. He wrote in his Caught Offside column : "There have been some reports recently suggesting Barcelona want to sign Kante (RMC Sport), but I’m told there’s still nothing advanced between him and any club.
"He’s happy in London but negotiations with Chelsea are not easy, so he has serious chances to leave on a free transfer. Barcelona are always informed about potential free agents, Kante included; but it’s not an advanced negotiation yet."
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