Barcelona close in on Kante but have one HUGE concern

Karan Tejwani

• 10 Dec 2022 15:55 GMT
• 2 min read

Barcelona are planning to sign N’Golo Kante next season on a free transfer as his contract expires at Chelsea but will have one major concern on the deal.

Kante’s deal runs out at the end of the campaign and there seems to be no major talk that he will sign a renewal having spent seven years at the club.

He reportedly has a desire to renew his contract with Chelsea but the Blues are not willing to match his terms and want a more youth-centered approach to the future.

READ: Five expiring stars Barcelona want to sign in 2023

Now, with Barcelona’s interest rising, they see an opportunity to get the player but there is one major concern around his fitness after his surgery.

Barcelona have Kante doubt

Kante has undergone surgery for a hamstring injury which has forced him to miss the World Cup with France and he is approaching the end of his Premier League career.

According to reports from Sport, Kante is open to leaving Chelsea and contacted Barcelona in the summer but he didn’t see moving as a priority then, but matters are different now.

READ: Chelsea eye Premier League wonderkid as Kante successor

Barcelona now see this as an opportunity to get a world star on their team without having to pay a transfer fee and don’t want to miss out on the chance to get the World Cup winner.

However, they want to ensure there are now physical doubts lingering over the player and don’t want to sign him if there are concerns over his physical state.

Xavi sees Kante as a crucial piece to add to his midfield and feels he could provide the necessary physicality to his midfield as well as share his experience with the younger players in the squad.

Kante also earns a high salary at Chelsea, something Barcelona are not keen to match and his wage needs to fit within the economic situation of the club.