---
title: "Chelsea: N’Golo Kante in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Barcelona"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-premier-league-ngolo-kante-barcelona-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2022-12-20T16:15:55Z"
modified: "2022-12-20T16:15:55Z"
---

# Chelsea: N’Golo Kante in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Barcelona

**[Chelsea](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/) midfielder [N’Golo Kante](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/ngolo-kante/) is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Barcelona over a pre-contract agreement, according to a fresh transfer rumour.**

### The Lowdown: Kante out of contract soon

The 31-year-old has been a wonderful servant for the Blues, making [262 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ngolo-kante/alletore/spieler/225083) in total and often standing out as one of the world’s best midfielders.

Injuries have affected Kante badly of late, however, and he has been restricted to just [two starts](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/114075/Show/N-Golo-Kant%C3%A9) in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) this season.

The Frenchman’s current Chelsea deal [expires](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ngolo-kante/profil/spieler/225083) at the end of this season and there has been little sign of him extending his stay at Stamford Bridge.

### The Latest: Barca move close?

According to [*Sport*](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/kante-aprieta-barca-firmar-precontrato-80167947) \[via [*Sport Witness*](https://sportwitness.co.uk/chelsea-player-advanced-negotiations-leave-blues-hurry-sort-future/)\], Kante is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Barca over a summer move, with a pre-contract agreement in January on the cards.

He is thought to be ‘in a hurry’ to find a new club, with Juventus also seen as a possible destination for him.

### The Verdict: Right time to leave?

In truth, next summer does feel like the right time for Kante to move on from Chelsea, with his recent fitness issues becoming problematic.

At 31, there is an argument to say that the midfielder’s very best days are now behind him, with injuries arguably causing him to lose half a yard of pace and his sell-on value decreasing regardless of his contract situation.

Kante should be remembered as a truly great servant for Chelsea – Ally McCoist has [described](https://talksport.com/football/876637/magic-ngolo-kante-fabregas-chelsea-real-madrid-champions-league/) him as ‘absolutely magic’ – but a 2023 exit feels like a natural conclusion for all parties.