The long-running N’Golo Kante links with Inter Milan have taken another turn with the Italian giants said to be in ‘deep talks’ with the Chelsea star.
Inter have stepped up moves for Kante after their hopes of landing primary midfield target Granit Xhaka took a big hit, according to reports.
The La Liga side had hoped to complete a deal for Arsenal’s Swiss international in the January transfer window, but Italian outlet Calciomercato report Xhaka has no intention of leaving the Emirates on loan.
There had been suggestions that Inter could use former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen as part of a swap deal for the Switzerland international.
But Antonio Conte may instead look for a January reunion with Kante who has three years left on his deal at Stamford Bridge.
The report adds that Inter are in deep talks with the player’s entourage and suggested Conte has made direct contact with his former player.
Conte was in charge of the Blues when they signed Kante from Leicester City in 2016, with the Frenchman helping Chelsea secure the Premier League title in their first season at Stamford Bridge.
The Frenchman won the PFA Player of the Year award that season and continues to have a big influence.
He has played in every Premier League game this season, and Frank Lampard was quick to underline Kante’s importance within the current Chelsea squad when subject to transfer speculation in September.