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ten Hag earmarks 31-year-old PL superstar as first Man United signing

N'Golo Kante in action for Chelsea.
N'Golo Kante in action for Chelsea.

Incoming new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag eyes Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante as his first signing

According to the Mirror, incoming new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has identified Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante as his first signing at Old Trafford. The Dutchman will be taking over the club at the end of the current campaign.

Kante is hugely experienced in the Premier League, having won the league multiple times while playing for Leicester City and Chelsea. Currently with the Blues, the midfielder is one of the driving forces of the team in the middle of the park alongside Jorginho.

He is well regarded for his ability to shield the rearguard and put in a solid tackle when required, which makes him an effective midfield enforcer. Kante is also someone that can be relied upon and is consistent on the pitch, making over 100 appearances for both club and country in the last two seasons.

N'Golo Kante has been identified as a midfield target by Man Utd.
N’Golo Kante has been identified as a midfield target by Man Utd.

Having endured a disappointing season this time around, United are in need of midfield reinforcements. A player like Kante could certainly give them a lift, and with one year left on his current Chelsea contract, he could be an attainable transfer target in the summer.

Add energy and competition to midfield

ten Hag is of the opinion that the current midfield options at Old Trafford lack energy, decisiveness, and a competitive spirit. Although Kante is 31, the Dutch head coach believes that the player has the ability, experience, and hunger to mentor the youngsters in the squad aside from adding proven Premier League quality in the middle of the park.

The Red Devils see the France international as someone they can snap up at the end of the season, as Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to make significant changes in the upcoming summer transfer window once the London club’s takeover has been completed.

Andreas Pereira told that he still has a future at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag wants to increase Man Utd’s energy in midfield by signing N’golo Kante.

The current campaign has been poor for the Manchester side, having missed out on a Champions League qualification spot. They have also failed to win any silverware this term, extending their trophy drought to five years while their rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, continue to dominate.

In Kante, they could sign someone who has won multiple league titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup. There is a pedigree and quality that the Frenchman brings that very few can boast of, and he would prove to be a great addition to the midfield. He has, at times, looked tired when playing for the Blues this season, but there is no doubt regarding his high workrate and engine.

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The midfield next season at the Theatre of Dreams will be stretched thin, with Paul Pogba’s contract running out in the summer and Nemanja Matic departing at the end of the current campaign. This leaves only Fred, Scott McTominay, and returning loanee Donny van de Beek as the club’s available central midfielders.

Kante could be snapped up to provide some depth and steel to the middle of the park, something that has been missed at United. ten Hag could make a statement signing by securing the Frenchman’s signature as well, laying down his intent for the new campaign. It remains to be seen if there are any developments on this front in the near future. The last player we signed directly from the west Londoners was Nemanja Matic, all the way back in 2017.

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