Star quality: Kante has been one of the signings of the season

Done deal: Wenger favourite agrees £32m move after paperwork finalised

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Published on:

16 Jul 2016, 10:44 am

By Tom Blackburn

Arsenal have lost to London rivals Chelsea for the signing of midfielder N’Golo Kante, it was confirmed on Saturday afternoon.

Arsene Wenger has previously expressed his admiration of the Frenchman, but rival manager Antonio Conte has won the race for the 25-year-old.

Leicester announced via their website and social media accounts that the deal had been done.

CONFIRMED: #lcfc reach agreement with @chelseafc for the transfer of @nglkante. More follows... pic.twitter.com/Gs3QiyvGC9
— Leicester City (@LCFC) July 16, 2016

"The club subsequently accepted a Leicester City-record fee on Friday before N'Golo finalised personal terms and completed a medical," read the club statement.

"He departs with the best wishes of everyone at Leicester City."

Sky Sports are reporting that the fee being paid by Chelsea for the Frenchman is £32million.

Leicester captured Kante for £5.6million last summer and his impressive performances last season have seen his value increase nearly six-fold.

He made 40 appearances in all competitions and grabbed one goal in a league match against Watford. His constant running and energy is well-suited to the Premier League and he also proved he is surprisingly strong for a small figure.

Wenger will still have an array of talented midfielders in the squad already with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil and most recently the arrival of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach to select from.

In other Arsenal transfer news, the odds have been slashed as Arsenal look to bring in an award-winning Premier League ace.

Arsenal

Chelsea FC

Leicester City

N'Golo Kante