Arsenal are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante this summer, according to a report from the Daily Star. 

The lowdown: Serial winner

Brought to the Premier League by Leicester in 2016 from Caen in France, the 31-year-old has lifted the top-flight title twice since arriving in England, also becoming a Champions League, FA Cup, Europa League, Club World Cup, UEFA Nations League and World Cup winner.

Alongside the impressive list of team honours, the Frenchman earned the individual accolade of being named the Footballer of Year by the Football Writers’ Association in 2017 and continues to play an important part in Thomas Tuchel's plans.

However, now that he is into the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge (Transfermarkt), murmurings of a potential move away have emerged, and Arsenal could be about to strike...

The latest: Arsenal considering Kante move

As per the Daily Star, Arsenal are believed to be 'considering a shock approach' for the 53-cap France superstar.

It's claimed that Mikel Arteta wants 'more world-class defensive talent' in his midfield at the Emirates Stadium, and as such the Gunners are willing to 'sound out' whether Chelsea would be ready to 'cash in' on Kante during the ongoing transfer window.

The report added that Manchester United are 'actively eyeing' the Frenchman, who was once dubbed a 'Duracell bunny' by former Premier League midfielder Steven Pienaar due to a seemingly unrelenting work rate.

The verdict: Make it happen

Despite suffering from regular injury issues over the last 18 months, signing a player of Kante's ilk, quality and experience, having made 419 professional career appearances, would be a sensational piece of business from the north Londoners.

A master of nullifying attacks from a deep-lying midfield role, the £36m-valued ace would surely slot straight into Arsenal's midfield and potentially become a replacement for the unreliable Granit Xhaka.

Last season Kante earned a 7.12 Sofascore rating whilst winning 4.6 duels, making 1.2 interceptions and completing 43.1 passes per game - proof of a continued ability to perform commendably at the elite level in spite of fitness problems.

Whilst Arsenal signing a player from Chelsea is certainly not out of the realms of possibility - having previously landed Willian, Petr Cech and Williams Gallas from their London rivals - a potential stumbling block for technical director Edu and co could be Kante's £290,000-per-week wage (Salary Sport), which far outstrips anyone in Arteta's current squad.