Chelsea are making progress in talks over a new contract with N’Golo Kante and are growing in confidence the midfielder will re-sign, according to reports.

The French international has struggled this year with injuries and had looked likely to leave Stamford Bridge when his contract comes to an end next summer.

With a number of teams – such as Spanish giants Barcelona – interested in Kante, the Blues have decided to try and renew his deal at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.

According to The Athletic, the west London side have held positive talks with the Frenchman and his representatives over a new deal with the club.

Chelsea had suggested extending the 31-year-old’s deal for two years, with the option of a third – however the ex-Leicester star wants a longer deal.

As well as interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr – who look to complete the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo – were also interested in Kante.

Irrespective of Kante’s situation, the Blues will still try to sign reinforcements in the midfield department amid uncertainty over the situation of Italian star Jorginho.

The same outlet suggest that there are five names heading Chelsea’s shortlist in the build-up to the winter transfer market opening.

Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellignham remain the primary targets for Todd Boehly’s side.

It’s was reported that Chelsea are ready to trigger the £105million release clause in Fernandez’s contract after his scintillating displays for Argentina in the World Cup.

While Premier League talents such as Declan Rice, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are all among the options – though they remain less of a priority for Chelsea.

Some players, such as Rice, play for rival clubs whereas others, such as Lavia, have only recently moved to their respective club and would be unlikely to leave again.

It was only this week that Potter confirmed Kante will not be available for selection until the end of February or start of March as the midfielder recovers from hamstring surgery.

The midfielder went under the knife in October, ruling him out of action for four months.

‘He will be a while, end of Feb, start of March,’ Potter said. ‘It was a surgery, so it is a minimum period of four months pretty much.

‘I think my focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible, everyone knows the quality he has.’

SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk