Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Atletico Madrid.
The World Cup winner has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the second weekend of the season, initially attempting to make a comeback before it was decided that he would require surgery.
As it stands, the France international is expected to come back into contention at the end of February, but the player will be looking to secure more than just a place in the team.
With less than five months remaining on his contract, the 31-year-old needs to prove his fitness, whether that is to earn a new Blues deal or a contract elsewhere.
If reports are to be believed, Kante would prefer to remain at Chelsea, having been with the West Londoners since 2016 and won a Premier League and Champions League title.
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While negotiations are said to be ongoing, Kante will not be short of admirers elsewhere with Liverpool the latest team to allegedly identify him as a potential signing.
According to reports in Spain, however, Atletico are also monitoring the situation ahead of what may prove to be a busy summer in the market.
Diego Simeone complemented two arrivals with three departures during the January window, and the club's coffers will be boosted by the income generated from Matheus Cunha's sale to Wolverhampton Wanderers when it is turned into a permanent arrangement in the summer.
Recently, it has been suggested that Simeone may be dealing with a limited budget, depending on Champions League qualification, but there is an acceptance that changes must be made to try to get closer to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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This particular report claims that Chelsea are ready to release Kante, something which is yet to be determined, but there is interest should Kante require a new club.
Chelsea are currently undergoing a midfield rebuild with Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos having both been signed at the turn of the year, the former replacing Jorginho who was sold to Arsenal.
As it stands, it is unclear whether Chelsea will look to part ways with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, or whether they will activate a buy clause in the loan deal for Juventus' Denis Zakaria.
Kante remaining at Stamford Bridge may be dependent on proving his fitness during the closing months of the season and being willing to accept a pay cut.
Darren Plant
