Frank Leboeuf Urges Chelsea To Hijack West Ham’s Move For £25M Rated Midfielder
Ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf says his former club should consider re-signing N’Golo Kante. West Ham have had an opening bid rejected for the Al-Ittihad midfielder but Lebouef thinks the Blues should enter the race for the France international “When I saw the article I said, what? Why Chelsea don’t call him back? The guy is from Chelsea.
We don’t want to see him at West Ham, with all due respect, and I think if West Ham can get him, you know, that’s a very good catch because that guy has proven during the Euros that he was still at the top.” Kante left Stamford Bridge on a free transfer last summer but, despite now being 33 years of age, he is still putting in impressive displays for both club and country.
Chelsea would have to pay a significant sum to re-sign the midfielder It is believed that West Ham’s initial offer for Kante was worth around £15m, but Al-Ittihad reportedly want at least £25m to let him go. That is a sizeable amount to pay for someone you let go for nothing just 12 months ago and, for that reason, you can’t see Chelsea challenging the Hammers for the Frenchman’s services.
What are the club’s transfer plans for the rest of the summer?
It is believed that the Blues are keen on recruiting a goalkeeper, a right-footed winger and a striker for the first team before the transfer window closes next month. A number of names have been linked. In goal, the likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Filip Jorgensen and Mads Hermansen have been considered.
In terms of wingers, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is said to be the top target but Barcelona are currently favourites for his signature. Rennes’ Desire Doue, Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville or even Kaoru Mitoma could be pursued instead. Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion is the strongest candidate for the No.9 position but his asking price may prove to be too much.
That could lead the Blues to look at a cheaper alternative such as Hoffenheim’s Maximilian Beier or potentially Lille’s Jonathan David.
