Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is reportedly keen to stay at Stamford Bridge amid interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
The injury-hit 31-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his existing contract with Graham Potter's side and could therefore depart as a free agent at the end of the season.
Should Kante fail to pen fresh terms by January, he can enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs, and he is not expected to be short of offers despite his injury problems.
PSG are thought to be pushing to bring Kante back to France, while Barcelona are also monitoring any developments as they aim to secure another high-profile free transfer.
Kante and Chelsea are understood to be in discussions over a possible contract extension, as he is still viewed as a key member of the squad despite his recent fitness woes.
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However, talks between the two parties are believed to have stalled over the length of a new deal, with Chelsea not prepared to bow to the midfielder's demands over a firm three or four-year extension.
Nevertheless, Le 10 Sport claims that Kante still wants to remain at Stamford Bridge if an agreement can be reached, but any new terms must be under his conditions.
Kante allegedly has no interest in scoping out potential suitors, as he is settled in London with his family, and no discussions are currently taking place with other clubs.
Chelsea and Kante are working to find a solution on a new deal, but the Blues are still only willing to offer the ex-Leicester City man a short-term extension, which is the sole roadblock in negotiations.
Kante has recorded 13 goals and 15 assists from 262 games for Chelsea since arriving from Leicester in the summer of 2016, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, the Europa League, the FA Cup, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in that time.
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Injuries and illnesses have plagued Kante over the past couple of seasons, though, and he has missed 63 matches in all competitions since the start of the 2019-20 campaign.
The France international has been restricted to just two appearances this term due to a hamstring problem, and he has not seen the field since the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on August 14.
Kante was initially expected to return at some point this month, but Potter confirmed to reporters earlier this month that he had suffered a setback, and a date for his potential return has not been pencilled in.
"On N'Golo, we are waiting on a reaction in training, and we're waiting for the news on that," Potter explained. "It is not ideal and certainly disappointing for both him and for us. So, we have to wait and see the extent and then go from there."
As well as Kante, fellow lynchpin Jorginho is also out of contract in 2023, but the Italian's agent has confirmed that his priority is to agree a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, the Blues are now reported to have opened talks with Mason Mount over a new contract, but it could be a few months before anything is made official while the England international focuses on the World Cup.
Ben Knapton
