The Premier League champions Leicester City have expressed their desire to sign Kenyan international Victor Wanyama as fears grow that their French midfielder N’Golo Kante will quit.
It has been reported that the champions have made initial inquiries for long-time Spurs target Wanyama, 24, as they look to replace the in-demand Kante.
Chelsea have joined Real Madrid and Paris St. Germain in the chase for the Foxes ace after his brilliant debut campaign on English shores.
Kante, 25, suggested last week he is in no rush to quit the King Power Stadium despite the intense transfer speculation.
However, the fact the Paris-born enforcer, a £5.6 million buy from Caen 12 months ago, has a £20M release clause in his contract appears to make his exit inevitable.
Certainly, Foxes chief Claudio Ranieri is preparing for the worst as he steps up his search for someone capable of filling the Frenchman’s box-to-box role.
Kante was voted the club’s Players’ Player of the Year this season but his future could now lie away from the Midlands.
Leicester had a £15M offer for Sevilla’s former Stoke and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven N’Zonzi rejected last month and now they are looking at Wanyama.
The tough-tackling Kenyan has a year left on his St Mary’s contract and no intention of signing an extension to his deal.
But even if Leicester can give him the Champions League football he craves it may not be enough to seal a £20M deal if and when Tottenham enter the bidding.
Wanyama signed for Saints in 2013 when Mauricio Pochettino was boss and would choose to link up with him again at Spurs over a move to the champions.
