Barcelona eyeing French veteran as possible ‘low-cost’ signing – report

According to Toni Juanmarti’s report in SPORT, Barcelona are once again eyeing Al-Ittihad midfielder N’Golo Kante as a budget-friendly addition to their midfield. 

Despite being 33 years old, Kante has caught Barcelona’s attention due to his impressive performance and excellent physical condition during the recent European Championship. 

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Barcelona have shown interest in Kante; the club has been monitoring him for the past two years but has never made a definitive move to sign him. 

Now, with a renewed interest, Barcelona are considering bringing the former Chelsea player on board, ideally through a loan deal.

But there are several problems

It is suggested that this idea faces significant hurdles. For once, Al-Ittihad seem reluctant to loan out Kante, having already turned down similar requests from other clubs, including West Ham. 

This reluctance presents a major challenge for Barcelona, as acquiring Kante on loan appears unlikely at the moment.

Currently, Barcelona’s primary focus is on strengthening other areas of the team. Efforts are being concentrated on securing Nico Williams and possibly Dani Olmo, which has slightly diminished the urgency of signing a midfielder. 

N’golo Kante is still on Barcelona’s shortlist. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite this, Barcelona are still exploring various options to bolster their midfield. Mikel Merino remains a favoured candidate within the club, but the financial constraints are pushing Barcelona to consider more economical alternatives.

Could Kante be the temporary solution?

In the scenario where only low-cost options or loan deals are feasible, Kante’s name remains on the table. 

Barcelona are keen on adding depth to their midfield without making a significant financial outlay, and Kante, with his wealth of experience and proven track record, fits the bill perfectly. 

Yet, the resistance from Al-Ittihad and the interest from other clubs make this potential acquisition complicated.

As of now, there have been no concrete advancements in Barcelona’s pursuit of Kante. The club continues to weigh its options, balancing the need for a seasoned midfielder against the financial limitations and the complexities of negotiating a loan deal with Al-Ittihad. 

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Barcelona can secure Kante or if they will have to look elsewhere to find a viable and cost-effective solution for their midfield needs.