Out-of-contract Arsenal target now made top priority for Barcelona in 2023

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FC Barcelona have reportedly made Chelsea midfielder and rumoured Arsenal target N’Golo Kante a top priority signing for 2023, with the France international expected to leave west London at the end of his contract.

According to L’Equipe, the Catalan side are eager to sign the two-time Premier League champion as Barcelona look to pick up top players for free following their incredibly heavy spending spree this summer. And Kante has been tipped as a top priority for Xavi Hernandez’s squad.

The Chelsea star, who was hailed as ‘sensational’ by the Sun this season, is regarded by many as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League despite spending the majority of the season out on the injury table. And now, Barcelona could rival Arsenal to sign the 31-year-old.

The Daily Star reported in the summer that Mikel Arteta was keen on Kante, with Arsenal no strangers to signing older players from Chelsea and the Gunners manager eager to add to the club’s midfield ranks as the north London side look to maintain their title push.

However, Barcelona’s latest intentions to sign Kante could be a problem for Arsenal, with the La Liga giants a club who tend to win every transfer race regardless of the competition standing in their way. And for the Gunners, this update is the last thing they wanted to hear.

Indeed, whilst Kante might not fit Arsenal’s recent transfer strategy, the Chelsea star is easily one of the best midfielders in the world when fully fit and working in a system that works to his strengths. And Barcelona could do just this next season.

Barcelona signing Kante would be a blow for Arsenal

Whilst Kante is older than every player in Arsenal’s senior squad, there’s no denying the Chelsea dynamo is a player every top club in Europe wants in their team, and Barcelona’s intentions to sign the 31-year-old is a hammer blow for the Gunners.

After all, adding quality to the midfield could be what wins Arsenal an unprecedented Premier League title, and signing Kante could do just that for the Gunners. But, Barcelona’s interest could ruin this incredible dream for the north London side.