N'GOLO KANTE has handed Chelsea a huge transfer blow after reports emerged he is targeting a summer switch to Real Madrid.
The 2018 World Cup winner is among the best defensive midfielders in the world and has been instrumental for the Blues since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2016.
However, it is claimed Kante is now seeking a new challenge and views a move to Spanish giants Madrid as the ideal destination to do so.
The 13-time Champions League winners will likely have to pay in excess of £100million in order to take the 28-year-old away from Chelsea.
Kante is understood to have a strong relationship with Real Madrid manager and compatriot Zinedine Zidane and would add some much needed energy to the midfield at the Bernabeu.
Real president Florentino Perez is said to be reluctant to pay over the odds for Chelsea's number seven and believes the club are well stocked in defensive midfield.
Brazilian Casemiro has filled the role for a number of years, but Kante is arguably a step above the 27-year-old in terms of quality.
Zidane has shown his influence over transfers at Madrid before and may have to convince Perez to open his chequebook in the summer.
Madrid are by no means the only side chasing Kante, who has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League with the Blues, and there is interest from across Europe.
Both Bayern Munich and Juventus are understood to be possible destinations, but Kante favours a move to the Bernabeu.
Having signed a new deal with the club in November 2018, The former Leicester City man is contracted to Chelsea until 2023.
After being used in an unfamiliar wide role by Maurizio Sarri last term, Frank Lampard was quick to reinstate Kante in the centre of the park after taking over in the summer.
He has had to deal with injuries this term, but remains a key player at Stamford Bridge when he is fit and available.
The Chelsea Player of the Year for the 2018/19 season, Kante has made 155 appearances for the club and scored 11 goals in all competitions.
He earned his move to the London club on the back of Leicester's miraculous title winning season of 2015/16 as his energy set the tempo for the Foxes' title pursuit.
Another Premier League crown followed with the Blues the following season and he was named Premier League Player of the Season and PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2016/17 campaign.
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