Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante has reportedly emerged as Real Madrid’s top transfer target this summer, and that spells bad news for the Foxes.
Claudio Ranieri was handed a major boost earlier this month with Jamie Vardy’s decision to turn down a move to Arsenal and sign a new deal with the Premier League champions.
However, the Italian tactician looks likely to face another battle with The Sun reporting that Kante has attracted the attention of Zinedine Zidane with his performances last season and at Euro 2016.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable ascent to the top and he played an integral role in Leicester’s success with his presence in midfield last season.
Having shown that he is equally as important to France, he could now be set to move on to an even bigger stage with Los Blancos.
The transfer fee involved isn’t likely to be an issue given that Kante is understood to currently have a £20m release clause in his contract, which in turn leaves it down to the player himself to make the decision over whether or not he wishes to move to Spain.
As noted by The Sun, Ranieri is seemingly already planning for life without the combative Frenchman as he eyes a move for Nampalys Mendy from Nice, and so he may well have to admit defeat in this particular bid to keep one of his heroes from last season.
As for Real, Kante’s arrival would provide more competition for places in their midfield, with the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro currently vying for a spot in Zidane’s starting line-up.