Chelsea's 2018 World Cup winner wants to sign pre-contract with Barcelona 

Chelsea's 2018 World Cup winner of Malian descent  N'Golo Kante could change teams next year, with La Liga giants Barcelona reportedly interested in his services.

According to Spanish sports newspaper Sport, Kante is pushing Barcelona to sign a preliminary contract in January as he has other offers and wants his future to be sorted out soon. 

The Frenchman's contract with the Londoners expires next summer, so from January 1, the player will be able to negotiate with other clubs.

Barcelona continue to search for a replacement for Sergio Busquets ,who is likely to leave the team.

Although Barcelona are interested in Chelsea's Jorginho and Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, Kante is their preferred option as he has played at a high level. 

Barcelona have also been linked with Martín Zubimendi and Rúben Neves but the stumbling block to a deal is the financial situation of the club with both midfielders contracted to Real Sociedad and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively beyond the end of this season. 

Kante missed the recently concluded 2022 World Cup due to injury. 

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com