Barcelona are reportedly in contact with Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad over the potential signing of N'Golo Kante this summer.
The 33-year-old was widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football during his seven-year stay at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup, while he was also named the Premier League and PFA's Player of the Year in 2016-17.
Kante was previously an integral member of the Leicester City side that defied all the odds to win the 2015-16 Premier League title.
The France international left Chelsea upon the expiration of his contract last summer and was one of many global stars to make the move to Saudi Arabia, signing a three-year contract with Al Ittihad worth a reported £86m per season.
Kante, who chipped in with four goals and six assists in 44 games for Al Ittihad last season, has since been tipped to make a potential return to Europe this summer.
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Kante remains on Barca's radar
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and West Ham United have all been credited with an interest in Kante, with the latter understood to have failed with a £20m bid last month.
It has previously been reported that Al Ittihad are not tempted to cash in on the veteran midfielder over the coming weeks.
However, it is understood that Kante would be open to the possibility of returning to Europe, and Sport claims that Barcelona remain in contact with Al Ittihad as they consider stepping up their interest in the Frenchman.
The report adds that Kante is a player who is admired a lot by Barca sporting director Deco, who was keen to sign the midfielder last season before he made the switch to the Middle East.
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Barca weighing up midfielder move before transfer deadline
Barcelona are believed to be exploring the possibility of recruiting a new holding midfielder in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window.
The Catalan giants have previously been linked with a host of players who are competent playing in the No.6 role, including Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich and Amadou Onana, who has joined Aston Villa from Everton.
However, Barca's financial issues have prevented them from pursuing certain targets and new head coach Hansi Flick has prioritised reinforcements in attack, with the arrival of Dani Olmo now confirmed and internal discussions ongoing over whether they will step up their interest in Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams.
Should Barcelona opt against signing Kante or any other holding midfielder, 17-year-old academy graduate Marc Bernal could be trusted with starts in the club's opening La Liga fixtures of the new season.
Oliver Thomas
