Arsenal dealt blow as N'Golo Kante's Chelsea exit creates transfer problem

06 June 2023 , 23:48

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N'Golo Kante is set to leave Chelsea at the end of his contract (Image: Getty Images)

N'Golo Kante is heading out of Chelsea - and it could prove just as big a blow to Arsenal as it is to their London rivals.

Kante has secured iconic Premier League status after being a key performer in Leicester City's incredible 2015/16 title win, which prompted a £32 million move to London. He was again instrumental as the Blues finishing first, making the midfielder the first player since Eric Cantona in 1993 to win back‑to-back top-flight titles in England with two different clubs.

The 32-year-old has also won the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and European Super Cup during his stint at Stamford Bridge, as well as the 2018 World Cup with France. But after an injury hit campaign in 2022/23, he's now set to join Cristiano Ronaldo co in Saudi Arabia having been offered a huge money deal.

The star is on the verge of agreeing terms to join Al Ittihad, according to the . The two-year deal is said to be worth £86 million a year, and comes in the same week that Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema confirmed he was heading to the Middle East.

And the Kante developments will inevitably result in Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino ramping up his pursuit of Brighton's Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian is rated at over £80 million by the Seagulls, who are now able to negotiate from a position of strength after he signed a new contract in January.

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Arsenal have already reportedly agreed personal terms with the star, but no transfer has been agreed and the Blues are also set to bid for the midfielder. And despite not being able to offer him Champions League football, Chelsea's financial power, plus their willingness to participate in a swap deal, could present a serious problem for the Gunners.

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Moises Caicedo has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea (Getty Images)

Pochetinno has already begun his clear out amid a mediocre 2022/23 campaign, which saw the club record their lowest league position, 12th, since the 1993/94 season. And with Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount also both set to leave, there is a dearth in midfield that Caicedo appears perfect to fill.

Should that scenario materialise, it would be viewed as a huge blow to Mikel Arteta and co as the Spanish boss bids for reinforcements to boost his squad. And it would also pile on the pressure over his pursuit of West Ham star Declan Rice.

Like Caicedo, the England international has been targeted by the Spanish boss, but again he faces the competition, this time through Bayern Munich. Rice is set to play his final game for the Hammers on Wednesday, in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.

Fraser Watson