N'Golo Kante is reportedly keen to sign a new contract with Chelsea amid the ongoing speculation surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge.
The France international has only made three appearances for the Blues during the 2022-23 campaign due to injury problems, and he was forced to undergo a hamstring operation in the middle of October.
Kante's contract is due to expire at the end of June, and it had been thought that he was looking to leave Stamford Bridge in 2023 in search of pastures new.
A recent report claimed that the midfielder was hopeful of signing a pre-contract with Barcelona in January, while there has also been suggestions of interest from Al-Nassr, who have just signed Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Kante's "priority has always been Chelsea".
© Reuters
Romano claims that the discussions are now "on different terms", with the Blues believed to be making progress in their bid to keep hold of the experienced midfielder.
"N'Golo Kante's priority has always been Chelsea and the Premier League. Kante is now in talks with Chelsea on different terms, this is why the situation is now open again," Romano wrote in his column for CaughtOffside.
"A few months ago it looked really complicated, but the situation is different now. Barcelona and Al-Nassr have never reached any agreement with Kante, just normal interest but it's now an open situation."
Kante joined Chelsea in 2016 off the back of helping Leicester City win the 2015-16 Premier League title, and he has represented the Blues on 262 occasions, contributing 13 goals and 15 assists in the process.
The midfielder has also won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup since arriving in the English capital.
© Reuters
Kante is not expected to be available for Chelsea until the start of March, as he recovers from the hamstring operation that he underwent in the middle of October.
The Blues are widely expected to sign a new central midfielder during the January market, with Benfica's Enzo Fernandez seemingly the club's leading target.
However, Graham Potter's side have also been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister, who has just returned to his club after helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup.
Chelsea - held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday - will be back in action against the English champions Manchester City on Thursday.
Matt Law
