Manchester United are considering an audacious bid for Chelsea midfielder N’golo Kante, according to reports.
As per The Guardian, the Red Devils have identified the Frenchman as a suitable candidate to bolster their midfield after a disappointing season in which they recorded their lowest ever Premier League points tally.
New manager Erik ten Hag will be keen to replace the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic, with all three midfielders leaving Old Trafford next month.
Kante, 31, is set to enter into the final 12 months of his current Blues deal this summer, and United are therefore optimistic that they may be able to persuade their rivals to part ways with the player this summer.
The France international has established himself as one of the best midfielders in world football in recent years, but has struggled with injuries of late, particularly over the past 12 months.
Kante is a target for Manchester United
Chelsea could be buoyed by the return of Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour and Ethan Ampadu when their respective loan spells end, and Tuchel may therefore be forced to let at least one of his crop of midfielders leave.
The German has spoken previously of his admiration for Kante, but has also expressed his frustrations about the player’s injury record.
“I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch,” Tuchel said this month.
“He plays only 40% of the games. So it’s maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.”
The report claims that Chelsea are unlikely to let Kante leave, especially to a rival club, and United may therefore look to Declan Rice or Frenkie De Jong instead.