One of the first transfers of the Mauricio Pochettino era looks set to be an outgoing deal with N'Golo Kante agreeing to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad. Barring any late hitches, the 32-year-old will join his fellow countryman Karim Benzema at the club for the 2023/24 season after his unveiling took place on Tuesday.
Kante looked set to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge under Pochettino, but no agreement was reached and thus the Saudi Arabian champions swooped in with a sensational offer. Upon signing a two-year deal, with an option for a further season, the midfielder will receive €100million (£86m) per season.
Adding midfielders to the squad looked set to be a priority this summer and therefore losing Kante is a real blow. However, to add some context, the former Leicester man did miss the majority of the 2022/23 season through injury which lessens the disappointment of his departure.
The Blues must now likely face the upcoming campaign without their engine room operator as Kante completed his Al Ittihad medical earlier this afternoon in London, as per Fabrizio Romano. The move is yet to be completely finalised, although it is just a few final documents away from being announced.
With Kante all but gone, while fellow midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic also look likely to depart, Pochettino is expected to acquire two new options in that role. Following the unsuccessful attempt to sign Manuel Ugarte, Brighton star Moises Caicedo looks to have become the primary target.
Links to Southampton lynchpin Romeo Lavia have also returned and his relationship with director Joe Shields will be pivotal to any move being sanctioned. Elsewhere, a striker and goalkeeper transfer are clear priorities with the futures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and now Kai Havertz significantly up in the air.
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The German international has been strongly linked to be Benzema's replacement at Real Madrid although Carlo Ancelotti's side are also planning to test Tottenham's Harry Kane resolve. The first major transfer for Los Blancos has already been finalised with Jude Bellingham completing €100million (£86m) to the Spanish capital from Borussia Dortmund.
Mason Mount is another midfielder expected to be on the move this summer with numerous Premier League suitors in the race for his signature. Despite early groundwork done by Liverpool, Manchester United are favourites to sign him from Chelsea, although their valuation and first bid of £50million is considerably lower than the Blues' £70million asking price.
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