Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly not given up hope of signing Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.
The long-serving Blues player is nearing the end of his contract at Stamford Bridge, with just over three months remaining on his existing terms.
A renewal at an earlier stage was arguably not realistic due to the 31-year-old being on the sidelines with a hamstring injury since the middle of August.
In recent weeks, though, Kante has been able to return to training, as well as take up a spot on the substitutes' bench against Everton on March 18.
Over the international break, the World Cup winner has accumulated his first batch of game time in seven months, coming through an hour in a behind-closed-doors fixture against Charlton Athletic.
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In the background, discussions over a new deal have continued, and a number of reports have indicated that Kante is highly likely to sign on the dotted line to enter an eighth year in West London.
According to 90min, Chelsea are confident that they will soon be in a position to make an announcement over Kante's future.
However, it is claimed that PSG remain in the race to sign the France international and have kept in discussions with the player's representatives.
PSG are already well-stocked for options in the centre of the pitch, with teenagers Warren Zaire-Emery and Ismael Gharbi having recently started to compete with a number of senior alternatives for a spot in Christophe Galtier's team.
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Nevertheless, at a time when PSG must work to meet FFP criteria this summer, sales and exits would need to be facilitated if Kante was to arrive at Parc des Princes.
Such actions would take place at a later date with PSG aware that they must reach an agreement with Kante as soon as possible if they are to convince him to leave Chelsea.
Should there be no further developments, PSG are likely to be watching on with interest when Graham Potter names his squad for the Premier League meeting with Aston Villa on Saturday.
Kante will be hoping to make what would be his 263rd outing in a Chelsea shirt since signing from Leicester City in 2016.
Darren Plant
