Liverpool make SHOCK last-minute move for Kante

Carlo Garganese

• 31 Jan 2023 08:50 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool are preparing a shock deadline day transfer bid for N’Golo Kante, according to El Nacional.

The Reds are enduring a dismal season and face a struggle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Their biggest problem has been the centre of midfield, which has been dominated in numerous games this season.

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Liverpool would ideally like to sign a top central midfielder before the end of the January transfer window.

And El Nacional reports that Jurgen Klopp is preparing a move for Chelsea veteran Kante.

Kante’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the current campaign, which means he is now able to negotiate a pre-contract with other clubs.

Barcelona have been the favourites to sign Kante on a Bosman transfer at the end of the season, if he doesn’t sign a new contract with Chelsea.

However, El Nacional reports that Kante could possibly still leave in January for a small fee.

Kante has been a key player for Chelsea over the past few years, especially during the club’s 2021 Champions League success.

However, he is now on the wrong side of 30 and increasingly injury-prone.

With fellow midfielder Jorginho also seeing his deal expire at the end of the season, it is widely reported that Chelsea will only renew one of these two players at most.

Jorginho is also being linked with a January transfer to Arsenal.

Kante injury problems

Kante has suffered a string of injuries over the last year or two that have complicated contract talks.

The former Leicester City star has played just 175 minutes of football this season with a hamstring injury, while he had four different injuries last season as well as two bouts of Coronavirus. He missed the World Cup due to injury.

Kante joined Chelsea after helping Leicester to win the Premier League in 2015-16.

He has made 262 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 11 goals. He has won one Premier League title, one Champions League as well as the World Cup during his time at the club.