Chelsea look set to miss out on signing the 'next N'Golo Kante' in the summer transfer window. Manchester United are eyeing Tottenham transfer target Konrad Laimer, according to Sky Sports.
The RB Leipzig midfielder, who has been likened to the Blues midfielder, sees his contract with the German giants expire at the end of cut season, making him available for a cut-price fee. Though, it Laimer's hesitancy, the Bundesliga side reportedly want to extend his future.
Sky Sports outline that 'several top clubs' are interested in securing the Austria international's services at the end of the season, two of which are Premier League outfits inside the 'top five'. Ralf Rangnick, who briefly worked alongside Laimer following their time together at RB Salzburg, has been named as a potential suitor for the 24-year-old's signature.
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Laimer has featured 155 times for Leipzig since joining from Salzburg in 2017. The midfielder has been central to much of the German side's meteoric road to success, rightfully, winning his plaudits along the way.
The Austrian's impressive displays have cemented himself a role as a prominent fixture in the national team, winning 20 caps for his country. Laimer's tireless work rate, ball-winning capabilities and reading of play have seen him be compared to Kante by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit.
Ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament, the Frenchman gave his assessment of the £12.6m-rated midfielder. As quoted by the official Bundesliga website paraphrasing the famous Kante saying, Petit said: "Seventy percent of the Earth's surface is water, the other 30 percent is covered by Konrad Laimer."
With United and Spurs seemingly in the race to sign a player just like N'Golo Kante, Chelsea will be missing out considerably. The 30-year-old's contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season. The France international has suffered various minor injuries this season, hampering his ability to nail down an undisputed role in Thomas Tuchel's starting eleven.
Overall, Kante has struggled to sustain the high levels that he's prided himself in recent years. On the contrary, Conor Gallagher has enjoyed an incredibly fruit-bearing season on loan with Crystal Palace, directly contributing to eleven goals in 27 Premier League appearances.
The Chelsea loanee, who has been labelled the 'Kante with goals', shares a handful of similarities with the Frenchman, emerging as the natural heir to his throne. Therefore the Blues have a dilemma on their hands.
