N’Golo Kante has turned down Chelsea’s new contract proposal, with the player unhappy at the length of the deal on offer.
The France international is out of contract in less than a year’s time, having failed to agree new terms with the London club.
Thomas Tuchel spoke openly about the situation with Kante before his exit and suggested that the Frenchman has to compromise over any contract extension because of his injury issues.
Kante has been sidelined regularly over the past two years but he remains their highest paid player.
The former Leicester City midfielder wants to stay at Stamford Bridge but the club are only offering him an initial two-year contract, with the option of a further one year.
The Blues gave Kalidou Koulibaly a four-year deal just last month, despite the fact that he is the same age as Kante.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also given a three-year contract, despite being two years older than Kante.
The Athletic therefore claim Kante has rejected the club’s proposal and he is holding out for a much longer deal.
It comes as two Premier League teams show interest in Kante, with the midfielder free to speak to other teams from January 1st.
Kante can sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign teams on January 1st, though Premier League clubs would have to wait.
