Sources: Chelsea could now be forced to let N'Golo Kante go
Chelsea face a tough decision on the future of long-serving midfielder N'Golo Kante, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues need to trim the squad and balance the books in the summer window following a mammoth transfer spend of more than £540million in the 2022-23 campaign.
Kante's big-money contract is up for renewal in June, and it is believed that Chelsea want to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
However, a potential stumbling block could be his high wages - with the World Cup winner earning a reported £290,000-a-week on his current deal at the club.
That places him well inside the top bracket of earners at Chelsea, alongside the likes of Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have told Football Insider that the Blues believe they can offload other stars in the summer window to raise the required funds.
Talks are ongoing between Chelsea and Kante, and it is believed that all parties are hopeful of striking a new agreement with the France international soon.
The two-time Premier League winner has turned out just six times across all competitions this season.
Kante has been sidelined for the majority of the 2022-23 campaign with a serious hamstring injury, and missed the World Cup in Qatar as a result.
He has made 266 appearances in total for Chelsea, notching 13 goals and 15 assists in seven years at the club.
Football Insider revealed on 27 February that Liverpool are closely monitoring Kante’s contract talks as they eye up a midfield overhaul in the summer.
Arsenal also reportedly launched an enquiry about the midfielder's services in the January window.