Barcelona and Real Madrid battle for Kante

Reports out of Spain say both Real Madrid and Barcelona are keen to sign Chelsea's superstar defensive midfielder N'Golo Kante. 

The World Cup-winning tackling machine became a star during Leicester City's improbable Premier League-winning season in 2016 and could be the answer to the defensive midfields of both clubs, neither of which lack much quality. 

Barcelona is in the hunt for a midfielder to be their No. 5 according to Mundo Deportivo, while AS reports that Real Madrid wants to find competition for Casemiro. 

The expectation would be for Chelsea to do what they can to hang on Kante, but the intrigue of joining two of the biggest clubs in the world has to be seen as enticing for the France international.

The Blaugrana are in need of a powerful and physical player who can not only get around the pitch, but also add some aggression to the centre of the park in the absence of Arturo Vidal, who is predicted to leave this summer.

With Ivan Rakitic also leaving, the Barca hierarchy believe Kante fits the bill perfectly, and would slot seamlessly into the club’s way of playing. In order to get the 29-year-old, they feel a possible swap deal might work better than a simple purchase, which is where Philippe Coutinho could come in. Chelsea are believed to be interested in the attacking midfielder, and so a deal that works for both parties could be on the cards.

However, AS claims Real Madrid are also keen on Kante as competition for Casemiro, though Rennes’ 17-year-old wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga is their main target, while Lille’s Boubakary Soumare is also being considered.