Paris Saint-Germain rekindle long-standing interest in Chelsea star

Paris Saint-Germain have made Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante their top priority this summer, claims The Daily Mirror.

The Ligue 1 champions are back to square one in their quest to win the Champions League after being dumped out of the competition at the last-16 stage this season.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are expected to sign Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera on a free transfer this summer but do not intend to stop there with their Premier League raid.

PSG have Kante back in their sights but face a huge challenge prising the 28-year-old away from Stamford Bridge.

The 2018 World Cup winner only signed a new £280,000-a-week deal with Chelsea in November and their pursuit may be over before it has even started if the Blues fail to lift a FIFA-imposed transfer ban.

Kante is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe but was this season asked to carry out an unfamiliar box-to-box role by Chelsea manger Maurizio Sarri.

The Italian has no place for Kante in defensive midfield in his system but he would slot straight back into that role at PSG.

Despite reservations whether Sarri is getting the best from Kante, the France international did score four goals and provide four assists in the Premier League this season, only one fewer than his previous three Premier League campaigns combined.