Shanghai bid for N’Golo Kante should spur Chelsea to action
By George Perry
Chelsea transfer target N’Golo Kante has drawn the attention of Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG. Could this be the turn that finally incites Chelsea to action?
N’Golo Kante has emerged as one of Chelsea’s most likely transfers in the summer transfer window. Unlike his rumor mill predecessor Radja Nainggolan, Kante has been unambiguous in his willingness to leave Leicester City and explicit in his desire to join Chelsea over his other suitors.
Kante’s contract with Leicester City includes a £20 million release clause. The clause does not initiate a transfer on a first-come, first-served basis. Leicester City can open a bid process with any club that offers the £20 million, so they will surely receive much more upon Kante’s departure.
Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG has come forward with the £20 million necessary to trigger Kante’s release clause, and offered £35 million for the French international midfielder.
The details of Kante’s release clause are sketchy, with conflicting reports over whether Leicester City is obligated to accept the highest bid or if the club (and Kante) can choose with which clubs they will negotiate. This will be key as Kante openly favors Chelsea over his other suitors Arsenal, Juventus, Real Madrid.
Kante is also not at all interested in playing in China. If Kante’s contract requires Leicester City to accept the highest bid, Chelsea will need to match the lavish ways of the Chinese Super League to acquire Kante.
N’Golo Kante is one of Chelsea’s “must sign” players for the summer transfer window. He has proven his skills and abilities in the Premier League and at Euro 2016. At 25-years old he is the ideal age to have experience and maturity while still having several prime years ahead of him. He is motivated to play for Antonio Conte, and will fit in perfectly to Conte’s formation and styles of play.
At the same time, Chelsea cannot afford to get sucked into gratuitous and avoidable bidding wars. Chelsea needs new players across the pitch. Without Champions League money, even Chelsea needs to be judicious with its transfer budget. Any money wasted in excess of a player’s true value will preclude Chelsea’s acquisition of another player they need.
Finances will not constrain the Chinese Super League’s ambitions. Only player interest – or lack of interest – will keep players in Europe in the face of the Super League’s offers of a six-figure per week salary.
Chelsea is at the crossroads of these forces with N’Golo Kante.
Working in Chelsea’s favor is the fact that the Chinese Super League tends to acquire players by making a major upfront offer that crowds out or scares off other suitors. Few players end up in the Chinese Super League after prolonged negotiations, particularly not after a bid war between a European and a Chinese club.
Chelsea is highly experienced in negotiating transfers, albeit with a mixed record of success. Michael Emenalo has overseen Chelsea’s highest-profile transfers to and from the club. He knows how to do more than splash money on the table. Add to that Kante’s stated desire to transfer to Chelsea, and Shanghai SIPG’s £35 million gambit becomes much weaker.
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The Chinese Super League snapped up Graziano Pelle for £13 million yesterday. Last week, Chelsea and Pelle took a spin together in the transfer rumor mill, with a £12 million deal fueling the chatter. The rumor was met with dismay given Pelle’s age and mediocre record for Southampton compared to Chelsea’s dire needs for a high-powered, long-term solution at striker.
The Super League’s willingness to pay more than an already-inflated rumor price for Pelle illustrates that league’s unconstrained, almost thoughtless spending habits.
Next: Chelsea transfer target Alvaro Morata will stay at Real Madrid
Chelsea’s willingness, initiative and acumen in pursuing N’Golo Kante will be a significant test for Michael Emenalo. Antonio Conte needs new players to succeed. How Emenalo acquires them in their first transfer window working together will set the stage for an era of success or a season of frustration.