Chelsea: Pundit discusses N’Golo Kante's transfer options
Chelsea star N'Golo Kante might be offered around Europe's top clubs this summer as Stamford Bridge chiefs seek to raise cash to sign Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen. Frank Lampard wants Havertz to follow Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner through the door ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, when Chelsea hope to mount a Premier League title challenge.
Express Sport understands, though, that there's currently a £15m gulf between the price the Blues are willing to pay for the playmaker and the £90m value Leverkusen have slapped on him.
Chelsea are willing to to offload players to fund a deal for highly-rated 21-year-old Havertz and Kante is a surprising potential candidate to be axed.
Chelsea might sell N'Golo Kante to help fund a move for transfer target Kai Havertz (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea could still demand upwards of £60m for the 29-year-old, despite the injury issues which have started to cast doubt on his Stamford Bridge future.
As well as Kante, Lampard has midfielders Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Billy Gilmour at his disposal for the run-in, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek set to feature too following his return from a long-term Achilles tendon injury.
Chelsea, who sit fourth in the Premier League, will resume their top-flight season on Sunday when they travel to Aston Villa.
Lampard's men are currently three points clear of fifth-place Manchester United and will be desperate to at least cling onto the final Champions League qualification spot.
New signing Werner has thrived in Europe's top club competition this term and is looking forward to getting going in west London.
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Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has endured an injury-hit season under Frank Lampard (Image: GETTY)
"I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club," Werner said.
"I of course want to thank RB Leipzig, the club and the fans, for four fantastic years. You will forever be in my heart.
"I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans. Together we have a very successful future ahead of us."
Chelsea's endeavours in the Champions League look set to end in failure this season, with Bayern Munich holding a 3-0 advantage ahead of the second-leg of their last-16 tie.
The FA Cup represents an opportunity for them to get their hands on some silverware, however, with Leicester next up in the quarter-finals.
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